Effect of chord tensile stress on the capacity of RHS K joints with gap in real girders

For the determination of the chord tensile stress effect for K joints, besides the data from isolated tests, also the results of four lattice girders were used. However, one K joint of a girder showed a rather low result which could not be explained without further detailed analysis. That is why recently a more detailed numerical investigation was carried out. Using measured dimensions and properties the joint resistances were numerically re-evaluated considering the 3% deformation limit and the chord stress equations included in ISO 14346 (2013) standard which is based on the IIW (2009) recommendations. In this study joints in girder III and comparable joints in girder II of CIDECT program 5Qg are simulated and re-analysed.