I‐beam‐to‐SHS column moment resisting joints using passing‐through plates under opposite bending moments: numerical and analytical studies

As thin walled HSS columns are very flexible, they usually exhibit excessive deformation when resisting a bending moment or transverse loads. Adding exterior/interior diaphragms is one way to remedy the problem. Another option that can significantly increase strength and stiffness is to allow passing plates through the hollow column by means of Laser Cutting Technology (LCT). This solution was tested on CHS columns within the RFCS LASTEICON project. The first outcomes were promising. One of LASTTS new RFCS project's overarching concerns is to enlarge the range of application of the passing‐through solution onto SHS columns.

The goal of this research paper is to present the behaviour of I‐beam‐to‐SHS column moment resisting joints using passing‐through plates under opposite bending moments. First, a solid‐based finite element model is presented. This model is used to conduct a sensitivity analysis with different SHS column and passing plates geometry. The failure mode is resulting contribution of both weld/tube‐wall tearing in tension, and chord face crushing in compression. Analytical models are developed in an attempt to ascertain the bending resistance and initial rotational stiffness of this new type of connections.