ABSTRACT
A Novel Collar-Plate (NCP) is introduced to reinforce the flange as well as the web of the chord for Square Hollow Section (SHS) joints. The compressive behaviors of the Novel Collar-Plate Reinforced (NCPR) Square Hollow Section (SHS) joints are studied by finite element parametric analysis. A set of experimental tests is conducted to verify the reliability of the numerical model, and the simulated results agree well with that of the experimental ones. The behavior of NCPR SHS T-joint is further discussed by parametric studies, by which the width ratio of the brace and the chord, as well as the thickness of the collar-plate are identified as the key parameters. The role of the collar-plate is discussed and the control failure modes of NCPR SHS joints under brace compressive loading are summarized. Finally, formulae are proposed to build design equations for the compressive strength of NCPR SHS T-joints.
