Computational Model for the Flexural Capacity and Stiffness of Eccentric RHS X-Connections under Brace Out-of-Plane Bending Moment
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 146, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper aims to establish a precise and concise formula for quantifying the out-of-plane flexural capacity and initial stiffness of unstiffened eccentric steel rectangular hollow section (RHS) X-connections. In this paper, an experimental study is first conducted and corresponding numerical simulation is subsequently carried out. Based on the failure mode and deformed pattern observed in the experimental and numerical studies, two yield line models and a frame-beam model are developed to predict the out-of-plane flexural capacity and flexural initial stiffness of the X-connections. Then, parametric analyses are conducted to verify the rationality of the form of capacity theoretical formula, and to derive an initial stiffness theoretical formula that is significantly simplified. Finally, the predicted out-of-plane flexural capacity and initial stiffness of the X-connections are respectively compared with those of the corresponding experimental and numerical results using the simplified formula. This comparison confirmed the validity of the proposed formula.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The financial support from the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. LY16E080012), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51778538 and 51508146), and the China Scholarship Council (Grant Nos. 201766195021 and 201707005100) are acknowledged and sincerely appreciated by the authors.
References
ABAQUS. 2012. ABAQUS analysis user’s manual (version 6.12). Providence, RI: SIMULIA.
AIJ (Architectural Institute of Japan). 2002. Recommendations for the design and fabrication of tubular truss structures in steel. [In Japanese.] Tokyo: AIJ.
Boresi, A. P., and R. J. Schmidt. 2002. Advance mechanics of materials. 6th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 1993. Design of steel structures, part 1.8—Design of joins. Eurocode 3. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
Ding, Y., L. Zhu, K. Zhang, Y. Bai, and H. Sun. 2018. “CHS X-joints strengthened by external stiffeners under brace axial tension.” Eng. Struct. 171 (9): 445–452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.05.101.
Feng, R., and B. Young. 2015. “Theoretical analysis of cold-formed stainless-steel tubular joints.” Eng. Struct. 83 (Jan): 99–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.10.030.
Fessler, H., P. B. Mockford, and J. J. Webster. 1986a. “Parametric equations for the flexibility matrices of single brace tubular joint in offshore structures.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. 81 (4): 659–673. https://doi.org/10.1680/iicep.1986.466.
Fessler, H., J. J. Webster, and P. B. Mockford. 1986b. “Parametric equations for the flexibility matrices of multi-brace tubular joints in offshore structures.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. 81 (4): 675–696. https://doi.org/10.1680/iicep.1986.467.
Fung, T. C., K. H. Tan, and M. P. Nguyen. 2016. “Structural behavior of CHS T-joints subjected to static in-plane bending in fire conditions.” J. Struct. Eng. 142 (3): 04015155. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0001382.
Gho, W. M., F. Gao, and Y. Yang. 2006. “Strain and stress concentration of completely overlapped tubular CHS joints under basic loadings.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 62 (7): 656–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2005.11.009.
Iskander, M. S., A. A. Shaat, and E. Y. Sayed-Ahmed. 2017. “Strengthening CHS T-joints subjected to brace axial compression using through-bolts.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 128 (Jan): 555–566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2016.09.019.
Jia, L. J., and Y. Y. Chen. 2014. “Evaluation of elastic in-plane flexural rigidity of multiplanar CHS X-joint.” Int. J. Steel Struct. 14 (1): 23–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-014-1003-7.
Liu, C., Q. Li, Z. Lu, and H. Wu. 2018. “A review of the diagrid structural system for tall buildings.” Struct. Des. Tall Special Build. 27 (4): e1445. https://doi.org/10.1002/tal.1445.
Liu, C., X. Luo, D. Fang, C. Shi, S. Sarvar, and B. Zhao. 2019. “Study on flexural stiffness of diagrid non-stiffened node based on four-spring assemblage model.” Eng. Struct. 198 (Nov): 109500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.109500.
Liu, C., K. Ma, X. Wei, G. He, W. Shi, and Y. Zhou. 2017. “Shaking table test and time-history analysis of high-rise diagrid tube structure.” Periodica Polytech.-Civ. Eng. 61 (2): 300–312. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.9243.
Liu, C. Q., and K. Q. Ma. 2017. “Calculation model of the lateral stiffness of high-rise diagrid tube structures based on the modular method.” Struct. Des. Tall Special Build. 26 (4): e1333. https://doi.org/10.1002/tal.1333.
Lu, L. H., G. D. Dewinkel, Y. Yu, and J. Wardenier. 1994. “Deformation limit for the ultimate strength of hollow section joints.” In Proc. 6th Int. Symp. on Tubular Structures, 341–347. Rotterdam, Netherlands: A.A. Balkema.
Ma, H., F. Fan, P. Wen, H. H. Zhang, and S. Shen. 2015. “Experimental and numerical studies on a single-layer cylindrical reticulated shell with semi-rigid joints.” Thin-Walled Struct. 86 (Jan): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2014.08.006.
Nassiraei, H., M. A. Lotfollahi-Yaghin, and H. Ahmadi. 2016. “Static strength of offshore tubular T/Y-joints reinforced with collar plate subjected to tensile brace loading.” Thin Walled Struct. 103 (Jun): 141–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2016.02.010.
Packer, J. A., and J. E. Henderson. 1997. Hollow structural section connections and trusses-a design guide. Toronto: Canadian Institute of steel construction.
Szlendak, J. K., and P. L. Oponowicz. 2013. “Experimental tests and numerical models of double side non-welded T RHS truss joints.” Procedia Eng. 57: 1109–1120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.04.140.
Wang, W., and Y. Y. Chen. 2005. “Modeling and classification of tubular joint rigidity and its effect on the global response of CHS lattice girders.” Struct. Eng. Mech. 21 (6): 677–698. https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2005.21.6.677.
Xiong, Z., X. N. Guo, Y. F. Luo, and S. Zhu. 2017. “Elasto-plastic stability of single-layer reticulated shells with aluminium alloy gusset joints.” Thin Walled Struct. 115 (Jun): 163–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2017.02.008.
Zhao, X. L. 2000. “Deformation limit and ultimate strength of welded T-joints in cold-formed RHS section.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 53 (2): 149–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0143-974X(99)00063-2.
Zhao, X. L., and L. W. Tong. 2011. “New development in steel tubular joints.” Adv. Struct. Eng. 14 (4): 699–715. https://doi.org/10.1260/1369-4332.14.4.699.
Zhu, L., K. Yang, Y. Bai, H. Sun, and M. Wang. 2017. “Capacity of steel CHS X- joints strengthened with external stiffening ring in compression.” Thin Walled Struct. 115 (Jun): 110–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2017.02.013.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 146 • Issue 3 • March 2020
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 4, 2018
Accepted: Jun 17, 2019
Published online: Dec 27, 2019
Published in print: Mar 1, 2020
Discussion open until: May 27, 2020
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.