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Effect of the Chord-Brace Angle on the Strength of Rectangular Hollow Sections K- and N-Joints in Galvanized Structures



Author(s)

Miguel A. Serrano1, Carlos López-Colina1, Gorka Iglesias2 and Jorge González3

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DOI:10.17265/1934-7359/2014.10.003

1. Department of Construction and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Oviedo, Asturias 33203, Spain
2. Research and Development Department, Grupo Condesa, Alava 01510, Spain
3. Technical Department, Ideas en Metal, Asturias 33203, Spain

An important consideration when using hot-dip galvanized tubular structures is the uncertainty of the joint behaviour due to the possible reduction in the global joint resistance produced by the vent holes required for the galvanizing process. This paper assesses the effect on the joint strength of the angle between the brace members and the chord in a K- or N-joints made with rectangular hollow sections. The study is focused on the case when those brace members include characteristic holes required for the hot-dip galvanizing process. To accomplish the objective of the proposed work, some tests on full-scale K- and N-joints, including angles of 35º, 45º, 55º and 90º, were carried out. The experimental work was complemented by a validated numerical simulation in order to give some design recommendations and to extend the research to other joint configurations.

Structural joints, tubular structures, galvanized structures, experimental tests, numerical simulation.