Nailed Tubular Connections under Fatigue Loading

Abstract

Tests on nailed connections under static axial tension or compression loading have resulted in published limit-states design procedures for these types of splice connections. This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the fatigue behavior and performance of similar nailed tubular connections. An example of this is nailing light gauge steel diaphragms to primary structural members in German railway bridges to provide acoustic damping properties. A total of 24 lapped splice nailed tubular connections has been tested with variables including tube thickness, number of nails, and stress range. Five of these connections were tested under static loading to serve as a benchmark for the fatigue test series. The fatigue test series consisted of 19 specimens tested under constant amplitude fatigue loading. The performance of nailed tubular connections has consistently proven to be reliable and predictable under static and, now, fatigue loading conditions. As such, design criteria for nailed connections can be included in structural steel design specifications.