ABSTRACT
In previous work, the authors developed a design equation for the in-plane bending of simple, circular, tubular joints. In order to derive the form of the design equation, steps were required to ensure that brace failure was excluded. The brace yield strength and the brace-to-chord thickness ratio were manipulated in order to control the brace plastic moment and preclude brace failure. This paper reports a sensitivity study that indicates that the brace yield strength is the best parameter to manipulate in order to avoid brace failure in a numerical study of in-plane bending capacity.
Previous in–plane bending data from the Wimpey/JISSP test program have been incoonsistent due to their high capacity relative to the experimental database. This paper reports numerical investigation of the JISSP tests that indicates that chord length and moment orientation effects account for the bulk of the excess capacity.
Often the capacity of tubular joints is defined not by ultimate failure but by a deformation limit. This limit, which is unrelated to serviceability, is sometimes necessary because there is no clear, early peak on the load-displacement curve. This paper discusses the issues surrounding the choice of a deformation limit, including the limits historically used in the U.S.
