Comparison of test results of canned joints and joints with partially thickened chord walls

• Published in: Journal of constructional steel research 1998-04, Vol.46 (1-3), p.343-344
• Main Authors: Wilmshurst, S.R, Makino, Y, Kurobane, Y, Matsubara, Y, Fukuda, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Joint cans; partially thickened sections; static strength; tests; tubular joints
• ISSN: 0143-974X; 1873-5983
• DOI: 10.1016/S0143-974X(98)00188-6

This paper reports the results of static strength tests on uniplanar CHS K- and multiplanar CHS KK-joints with cans and partially thickened chord sections under symmetrical axial loading. In total, six specimens were tested: a pair of uniplanar K-joints, and two pairs of multiplanar KK-joints. Within each pair, one joint had a chord with a canned section, and the other had a partially thickened chord section fabricated by electromagnetic induction, with subsequent post-heat treatment. The aims of the test programme were twofold. The first is to provide a comparison of the behaviour of the two types of chord sections when used in tubular joints so that an alternative, yet economically viable, procedure to conventional canned joints may be found. The second aim was to provide data on canned tubular joints. The joint test results showed excellent agreement in the behaviour for each pair of specimens. In addition, material tests comprising of tensile coupon tests, Charpy V-notch tests, and Vickers hardness tests, were carried out on specimens from each type of section to provide a comparison of the mechanical properties. It was also found that the mechanical properties of the partially thickened section were in some cases superior to the original section from which they were fabricated. The results of this test programme provide an indication that partially thickened chord sections could be used in place of conventional canned sections in tubular joints.