Influence of Corrosion Location on Compression Capacity of WHSJs

Abstract

The welded hollow spherical joint (WHSJ) is one of the most commonly used joints in reticulated shell structures. Corrosion at the surface of WHSJs has significantly different influences on the compression capacity of WHSJs, depending upon its location. Pit corrosion is a typical corrosion type for steel structures, but the influence of pit corrosion at different locations on the loading capacity of WHSJs has not been quantified. This study determined the influence of corrosion located in different places on the compression capacity of WHSJs. The influence of corrosion location on compression capacity was systematically investigated. The accuracy of the finite-element (FE) model was validated. The influence of corrosion and geometrical parameters on the random distribution of compression capacity was analyzed. A simplified method to predict the compression capacity is proposed.