ABSTRACT
The bird beak configuration is a novel form of connection for square RHS sections. To assess the effectiveness of this approach, a series of finite element models of both bird beak and normal RHS T Joints have been analysed. This paper presents the results of these analyses and compares them with publicised results for CHS connections. The FEA show that the bird beak configuration does indeed produce a stronger joint. However, there is a change in failure mechanism as the chord length ratio is increased. For the larger chord length ratio the normal RHS connection could prove stronger. To investigate the various failure mechanisms, interaction curves are plotted for RHS and CHS connections.
