RHS Cross-Connections with Fully Offset Branches in Tension
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 8
Abstract
This paper primarily presents an investigation into rectangular hollow section (RHS) cross- (or X-) connections with the branches fully laterally offset and loaded in axial tension. A set of 10 full-scale experimental specimens, carefully fabricated with noncritical welds, are tested in the laboratory, and the results are used to validate nonlinear finite-element models. To enhance the range of available data, the calibrated models are varied in an expanded parametric numerical study. A chord failure limit-state model based on a yield-line mechanism, which was identified in prior research on branch compression loading, is verified herein for branch tension loading. Furthermore, the limit state of branch failure is investigated by means of the combined experimental and numerical database produced. Design recommendations for laterally offset cross-connections loaded under branch tension, based on chord and branch failure modes, are presented. The application of current design recommendations for traditional cross-connections (with centered branches) to connections with full-width branches and laterally offset branches is also evaluated.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
Financial support for this project was provided by the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the UofT-Tsinghua Joint Research Fund. Hollow structural sections were generously donated by Atlas Tube, Harrow, Ontario, Canada. The authors are grateful for assistance from Mr. Dillon Rudman with regard to test specimen design and fabrication.
References
AISC. 2010. Specification for structural steel buildings. ANSI/AISC 360-10. Chicago: AISC.
AISC. 2022. Specification for structural steel buildings. ANSI/AISC 360-22. Chicago: AISC.
ASTM. 2021. Standard test methods for tension testing of metallic materials. ASTM E8/E8M-21. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Bu, X. D., and J. A. Packer. 2022. “RHS-to-RHS zero-gap K-connections.” J. Struct. Eng. 148 (6): 04022055. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0003343.
Bu, X. D., and J. A. Packer. 2023. “Hidden toe welds in RHS-to-RHS overlapped K-connections.” J. Struct. Eng. 149 (3): 04022258. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-11800.
Bu, X. D., F. Wei, and J. A. Packer. 2021. “Laterally offset RHS X-connections.” J. Struct. Eng. 147 (1): 04020286. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002864.
Callister, W. D. 2007. Material science and engineering: An introduction. 7th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2006. Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures—Part 1-5: Plated structural elements. EN 1993-1-5:2006. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2020. Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures—Part 1-14: Design assisted by finite element analysis. EN 1993-1-14:2020. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2021. Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures—Part 1-8: Design of joints. prEN 1993-1-8:2005. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CSA (Canadian Standards Association). 2018. General requirements for rolled or welded structural quality steel/Structural quality steel. CSA G40.20-13/G40.21-13(R2018). Toronto: CSA.
Davies, G., and J. A. Packer. 1982. “Predicting the strength of branch plate—RHS connections for punching shear.” Can. J. Civ. Eng. 9 (3): 458–467. https://doi.org/10.1139/l82-055.
Dawe, J. L., Y. Liu, R. Zhang, and A. Dukuze. 2006. “Experimental study of offset HSS connections.” J. Struct. Eng. 132 (5): 717–725. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2006)132:5(717).
Fisher, J. W., T. V. Galambos, G. L. Kulak, and M. K. Ravindra. 1978. “Load and resistance factor design criteria for connectors.” J. Struct. Div. 104 (9): 1427–1441. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSDEAG.0004986.
IIW (International Institute of Welding). 2012. Static design procedure for welded hollow section joints—Predominantly statically loaded. Genoa, Italy: IIW.
ISO. 2013. Static design procedure for welded hollow section joints—Recommendations. ISO 14346. Geneva: ISO.
Kalmykova, S., and F. Wald. 2019. “Full-scale experimental study of welded RHS T-joints with offset and it main outcomes.” Grant J. 8 (1): 76–81.
Kalmykova, S., and F. Wald. 2021. “Peculiarities of resistance definition for welded offset T-joint between RHS members.” ce/papers 4 (2–4): 2465–2471. https://doi.org/10.1002/cepa.1574.
Kennedy, D. J. L., and M. Gad Aly. 1980. “Limit states design of steel structures—Performance factors.” Can. J. Civ. Eng. 7 (1): 45–77. https://doi.org/10.1139/l80-005.
Kozich, M., F. Wald, X. D. Bu, and J. A. Packer. 2022. “The strain limit state criterion for hollow section joints.” Supplement, Steel Constr. 15 (S1): 2–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/stco.202100030.
Lan, X., J. Wardenier, and J. A. Packer. 2021. “Design of chord sidewall failure in RHS joints using steel grades up to S960.” Thin-Walled Struct. 163 (Jun): 107605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2021.107605.
Ling, Y. 1996. “Uniaxial true stress-strain after necking.” AMP J. Tech. 5 (1): 37–48.
Liu, J. 2016. “Updates to expected yield stress and tensile strength ratios for determination of expected member capacity in the 2016 AISC seismic provisions.” Eng. J. 53 (4): 215–228. https://doi.org/10.62913/engj.v53i4.1104.
Lu, L. H., G. D. de Winkel, Y. Yu, and J. Wardenier. 1994. “Deformation limit for the ultimate strength of hollow section joints.” In Proc., 6th Int. Symp. on Tubular Structures, 341–348. Rotterdam, Netherlands: A. A. Balkema.
Packer, J. A., D. Sherman, and M. Lecce. 2010. Hollow structural section connections. Chicago: AISC.
Packer, J. A., J. Wardenier, X.-L. Zhao, G. J. van der Vegte, and Y. Kurobane. 2009. Design guide for rectangular hollow section (RHS) joints under predominantly static loading. Geneva: Comité International pour le Développement et l’Étude de la Construction Tubulaire.
Tousignant, K., K. Tayyebi, and M. Sun. 2022. “Reliability of existing and proposed North American design provisions for RHS compression members with slender elements.” J. Struct. Eng. 148 (8): 04022108. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0003430.
Wald, F., et al. 2017. Benchmark cases for advanced design of structural steel connections. 2nd ed. Prague, Czechia: Czech Technical Univ. in Prague.
Wardenier, J. 1982. Hollow section joints. Delft, Netherlands: Delft University Press.
Wardenier, J., X. Lan, and J. A. Packer. 2021. Re-analysis of full-width RHS T- and X-joints under brace axial tension and brace in-plane bending. Delft, Netherlands: Delft Univ. of Technology.
Xi, Q., and J. Packer. 2021. “Assessing the probabilistic assumptions behind structural reliability via simulation.” In Proc., Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Annual Conf. Singapore: Springer.
Yan, R., K. Mela, H. E. Bamby, and M. Veljkovic. 2023. “Experimental investigation on the tensile behaviour of welded RHS high strength steel X-joints.” Eng. Struct. 276 (Feb): 115357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.115357.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 8 • August 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 8, 2023
Accepted: Mar 29, 2024
Published online: Jun 11, 2024
Published in print: Aug 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Nov 11, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Connections (structural)
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamic loads
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Failure analysis
- Failure loads
- Finite element method
- Lateral loads
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Methodology (by type)
- Numerical analysis
- Numerical methods
- Solid mechanics
- Static loads
- Statics (mechanics)
- Strength of materials
- Structural dynamics
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Tensile strength
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.