Deformation limit and ultimate strength of welded T-joints in cold-formed RHS sections

This paper describes the deformation limit and ultimate strength of welded T-joints in cold-formed RHS sections. Both web buckling failure mode and chord flange failure mode are investigated, The strength at a certain deformation (chord flange indentation) limit can be regarded as the ultimate strength of a T-joint. The deformation limit mainly depends on the ratio beta (=b(1)/b(0)). Based on the test results of T-joints in cold-formed RHS sections, the deformation limit is found as 3%b(o) for 0.6 less than or equal to beta less than or equal to 0.8 or 2 gamma less than or equal to 15, and 1%b(o) for 0.3 less than or equal to beta<0.6 and 2 gamma>15. The ultimate strength so determined is compared with the existing design formulae. Proposed formulae for ultimate strength of web buckling failure and chord flange failure are given. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.