Static Strength of Cracked Square Hollow Section T Joints under Axial Loads. II: Numerical

Abstract

For assessing the integrity of damaged hollow section joints, the plastic collapse loads of the joints containing cracks is an important parameter. Very little published information is available in the literature concerning the residual strength of square hollow section (SHS) joints containing defects or cracks. In this paper, an accurate numerical modeling of SHS T joints with cracks is proposed, whereby the entire finite element mesh is generated automatically. To validate this numerical model, several T joint models are studied and compared with the experimental data. A good agreement is obtained on the ultimate loads. Based on this model, the plastic collapse loads under different geometrical ratios are studied, and they are compared with the results calculated from the yield line theory. It is found that the yield line theory can give a reasonable prediction of the plastic collapse loads when the brace width to chord width ratio