ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the axial compressive loading capacity of CHS T-joints reinforced by external stiffening rings. Joint specimens were experimentally investigated under axial compressive loading on bracing. FE models were established to simulate the mechanical responses of the T-joints and further verified by experimental results. A numerical parametric analysis involving 160 FE joint models was conducted. Four parameter scenarios (ratio of brace to chord diameter β, ratio of chord diameter to twice the chord wall thickness γ, ratio of external stiffening ring width to chord radius β r, ratio of ring wall thickness to chord wall thickness τ r) were taken into account and their effects on the joint’s mechanical responses were investigated. The failure modes were classified as brace buckling, joint plastification, and chord bending failure. Finally, a formulation to calculate the ultimate joint strength was established and examined by numerical results and theoretical derivation.
