ABSTRACT
This paper deals with a numerical investigation into the influence of chord bending moments on the ultimate load capacity of X-joints in rectangular hollow sections (RHS) which continues the previous study on the corresponding RHS T-joints including the effect of chord bending moments. The braces of the joints are axially loaded and the chord is pre-loaded by bending moments. For each joint with a specific set of joint parameters, the chord bending moments are loaded with 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 times the design resistance moments of the chord section respectively. The interaction contours between the joint ultimate load capacity and the chord bending moment are functions of the β values and the chord bending moments. An identical interaction formula between the joint ultimate load capacity and the chord bending moment can be recommended for both X-joints and T-joints. The numerical formula is compared with the analytical solutions which gives a further insight into the problem.
