End-Plate Connections in Bi-Axial Bending - Measurements

Abstract:

In this paper we consider the measurements of bolted end-plate connections of tubular beams with cold-formed hollow rectangular aluminium sections. The motivation for these measurements originates from the fact that the aluminium standard (EN 1999-1-1) [1] does not cover the design of this very frequently used type of connection, where the bolts are located outside the edge-lines of the cross-section, i.e. corner bolts. Many tests and studies regarding this area have been conducted, but this paper brings value to the case where bi-axial bending is applied. The measurements have been carried out and the detailed results shall be shown. In this paper, we will focus on the six measurements where the tubular beams were bent uniaxially and biaxially to these limit points. The tests were stopped when the ultimate limit state was reached. In this case the connection never actually broke, but effectively the joint had lost its load bearing capacity. Some residual capacity still remained, but the displacements were too great resulting in a totally different behavior of the connection. The behavior of this connection is highly non-linear, since aluminium (AW 5754) as a material is strain hardening and the mechanism in the connection changes as the displacements increase.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 710)
• Pages: 275-280
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.710.275
• Online since: September 2016
• Authors: Jari Mäkinen*, Keijo Fränti, Matti Korhonen, Joshua Fillion, Markku Heinisuo
• Keywords: Bi-Axial Bending Measurements, End-Plate Connection

References

[1] Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures - Part 1-1: General structural rules. European Committee for Standardization. (2007).

[2] H. Perttola, M. Heinisuo, Experimental study on flanged joints of tubular members under biaxial bending,. D Dubina & D Grecea (eds. ), ECCS TC 10, Structural Connections, Connections VII, 7th International Workshop on Connections in Steel Structures, No 133, Connections in Steel Structures VII, May 30 - June 2, 2012, Timisoara, Romania.

DOI: 10.1002/stco.201310009

[3] De Matteis, G., Brescia, M., Formisano, A., Mazzolani, F.M. Behaviour of welded aluminium T-stub joints under monotonic loading, Computers and Structures, 87 (15-16), pp.990-1002, (2009).

DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2008.04.022