Simulating behavior and evaluating rational parameters of the tubular steel joint using flanges and bolts by FEM analysis

Abstract

With many advantages, nowadays, the structure using tubular steel structure is more and more widely used in all kinds of construction. In response to the rapid development of the tubular steel structure, it has been had a lot of research about the joints of this structure. Welding joints and joints using flanges and bolts are used most popular in the tubular structure. However, most of the research concentrate about welding joints, the joints using flanges and bolts are only mentioned in the case of simple load-bearing such as tension or compression or bending without computational instructions in the case of complex bearing forces (concurrent shear force and bending or concurrent tension/compression and bending or tension/compression and twisting).The research using FEM analysis for joint of steel tubular with different sizes ( small size, medium-size, and large size) and parameters of the thickness of the flange, bolt’s diameter, the thickness of steel tube that rule of the relation between them. The study outlines the behavior for joints of tubular structure using flanges and bolts in the case of concurrent shear force and bending, thereby proposing the rational parameters of the joint (the relationship between the thickness of the flange, the diameter of the bolt and thickness of steel tubes). Base on the results of this research, the standard for choosing a suitable joint of steel tubular in different conditions. Besides that, the research’s results are also one of the important parts in conducting the standard of design joint of steel tubular.