ABSTRACT
This paper presents N type RHS plug & play truss non-welded connections, made using AM technology. The Abaqus finite element three-dimensional models were created where the three-dimensional C3D8R, 8-node linear brick element with reduced integration were used. The mesh was densified in the area of maximum deformation and the boundary conditions correspond to realistic data from experiment set-up. A contact interaction between elements was assumed. Material properties were taken as the average values of the coupon tests. True stress-strain relationship were defined. Nine numerical models were created and validated by the experimental tests. Due to use of hierarchical validation in the performed simulations an appropriate level of accuracy was obtained. Failure mechanisms in FEM models and experimental tests seems to be similar. The criteria of joints load resistance are proposed such as permissible displacement of chord flange and Mann-Kendal (M-K) criterion. Finally, some conclusions are given.
