Experimental Case Studies about Uniplanar SHS Joints with Full-Overlapped Top Connection

Squared hollow steel profiles are commonly used in the construction of offshore structures or building facades. By welding two or more pipes, typical joints are created that are specific for different areas of applications. These joints are less resistant than straight pipes due to the geometrical heterogeneity and the complex stress behavior of the welding. Standards define these joints, but there are restrictions imposed regarding the material or geometry. This paper focused on full-overlapped joints with squared hollow section profiles and on-top connection, which are disregarded in current standards. The aim was to figure out the influence of the inclination angle on the resistance of the joint. In the analysis, experimental and numerical studies were performed. Four different inclination angles commonly used on construction sites were the focus. It was discovered that there is a total diminishment of 46% in the load bearing capacity between the steepest and the most obtuse angles. The structural behavior is non-linear and is influenced by the value of the angles. The second aspect is related to the influence of the steel profile, which is evaluated by a comparison between a squared profile and two circular profiles. It was discovered that the joint made with squared profiles has a higher bearing capacity than the one made with circular profiles, a statement valid for similar thicknesses of the elements.