Janak Raj Joshi , Jianwei Huang

Abstract: Hollow structural sections (HSS) have been used in various types of structures due to several desirable properties, such as a high strength-to-weight ratio, good compression, bending, and torsional resistance. Extensive research has been conducted to study the behaviors of HSS-to-HSS moment connections subjected to in-plane loading, however, studies on the behaviors under out-of-plane loading are limited. This paper aims to investigate the effects of connection eccentricity on the capacity of HSS-to-HSS moment connections subjected to out-of-plane loading by using finite element (FE) simulations. Two connection configurations were examined with different branch-to-chord width ratios (β); three cases of section corner radii were explored for each configuration. Based on von Mises yield criterion, the onset yield loads for connections were determined and compiled for comparisons. The results from this study showed that a linear downward trend is observed between the onset yield load at chord wall and the connection eccentricity, which suggests that the connection with eccentricity is more vulnerable to yielding at the chord wall as compared to a concentric connection. Also, with a higher width ratio (β), the connection was found to achieve a higher onset yield load. Furthermore, the connection with a larger section corner radius was observed to have a higher onset yield load.

Keywords: Hollow structural section (HSS), moment connection, eccentricity, corner radius, out-of-plane loading.

Date Published: August 29, 2023
DOI: 10.11159/ijci.2023.007

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