Comparison of Different Configurations of Thick-walled K-joints with Gap made of RHS and CHS

The design of the new developed offshore supporting structure for wind energy converters PREON marine requires the use of thick walled rectangular (RHS) and circular (CHS) hollow sections. Since for joints made of these sections only little information on the fatigue behavior exists, the check of the fatigue limit state is hampered. Therefore, numerical investigations on symmetrical K-joints with gap made of RHS, CHS and made of combinations of RHS and CHS are carried out by the Center of Competence (CCTH) in Karlsruhe. Additionally, joints made of RHS and gusset plates are investigated. The results presented here form part of extensive numerical investigations (Herion et al, 2013).