Effect of chord tensile stress on the capacity of RHS K joints with gap in real girders

Abstract

For the detemiination of the chord tensile stress effect for K joints, besides the data from isolated tests, also the results of four lattice girders were used. However, one K joint of a girder showed a rather low result which could not be explained without further detailed analysis. That is why recently a more detailed numerical investigation was carried out. Using measured dimensions and properties the joint resistances were numerically re-evaluated considering the 3% deformation limit and the chord stress equations included in ISO 14346 (2013) standard wiiich is based on the IIW (2009) recommendations. In this study joints in girder I I I and comparable joints in girder I I of CIDECT program 5Qg are simulated and re-analysed.