Load capacity of corroded welded hollow spherical joints subjected to bending moment and axial force

Abstract

Welded hollow spherical joints (WHSJs) have been extensively used in space lattice structures. Corrosion is inevitable in the service life of WHSJs, and it can significantly reduce their load capacity and seriously threaten their structural safety. A series of nonlinear numerical analyses was conducted to investigate the moment and axial force interaction for corroded WHSJs. The moment-rotation surface of corroded WHSJs subjected to axial force was derived. The influence of the location, size, and thickness of corrosion of WHSJs on their compressive capacity were revealed in this study. Two types of corroded shapes were investigated. Results indicate that the geometrical parameters exert a significant influence on the moment and axial force interaction. An analytical equation has been proposed to quantify the influence of axial force on the bending stiffness and moment capacity of corroded WHSJs.