ABSTRACT
Design formulas in AWS, API, CIDECT and AIJ Codes, are too complicated for designers. In this study, new ultimate capacity formulas for X, T and TT-joints are proposed as a first step to derive simple design formulas. The new ultimate capacity formulas use no complicated geometric variables. Furthermore, the formulas for TT-j oints are continuous to the ultimate capacity formulas for X or T-joints and are in accordance with the TT-joints’ failure types. Although, at this point, the formulas are only for X, T and TT-joints under compression, this study shows that the ultimate capacity equations for the other joints can be derived using similar procedures.
