Parametric finite element study on slotted rectangular and square HSS tension connections

Abstract A parametric finite element analysis study was carried out on slotted rectangular and square hollow structural section (HSS) tension connections without welding at the end of the gusset plate for different weld length ratio, slot orientation, weld size and level of HSS corner strength compared to its flat segment. Finite element models for the parametric study were developed and validated against test results of the connection with the tube slotted. The modified weld length ratio was found to be a better parameter than the modified eccentricity ratio in characterizing the net section efficiency of a slotted HSS tension member when the weld length is short. Improvements to provisions in CSA-S16-01 and ANSI/AISC-360-05 for slotted tubular tension connections were proposed based on results of the study.

[1]  Riadh Al-Mahaidi,et al.  Longitudinal Fillet Welds in Thin-Walled C450 RHS Members , 1999 .

[2]  G L Kulak,et al.  Strength of slotted tubular tension members , 1998 .

[3]  R. M. Korol,et al.  Shear lag in slotted HSS tension members , 1996 .

[4]  K. S. Sivakumaran,et al.  Material Properties Models for Analysis of Cold-Formed Steel Members , 1997 .

[5]  Riadh Al-Mahaidi,et al.  Investigation of block shear tear-out failure in gusset-plate welded connections in structural steel hollow sections and very high strength tubes , 2007 .

[6]  T Wilkinson,et al.  EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON SLOT LENGTHS IN RHS BRACING MEMBERS , 2002 .

[7]  Jeffrey A. Packer,et al.  Discussion of “Shear Lag in Rectangular Hollow Structural Sections Tension Members: Comparison of Design Equations to Test Data” by Bo Dowswell and Stacey Barber , 2007 .

[8]  Jeffrey A. Packer,et al.  Parametric finite element study of slotted end connections to circular hollow sections , 2006 .

[9]  Bo Dowswell,et al.  Shear Lag in Rectangular Hollow Structural Sections Tension Members: Comparison of Design Equations to Test Data , 2005 .

[10]  Peter Matic,et al.  Numerically predicting ductile material behavior from tensile specimen response , 1985 .

[11]  Jeffrey A. Packer,et al.  Behaviour of gusset plate connections to ends of round and elliptical hollow structural section members , 2006 .

[12]  André Picard,et al.  Finite element modelling of the shear lag effects in an HSS welded to a gusset plate , 1995 .

[13]  Riadh Al-Mahaidi,et al.  Investigation of shear lag failure in gusset-plate welded structural steel hollow section connections , 2007 .

[14]  Z. Naqvi,et al.  Modelling of weld metal and heat-affected zone , 2007 .

[15]  Gregory J. Hancock,et al.  Longitudinal Fillet Welds in Thin Cold-Formed RHS Members , 1995 .