Study on hysteresis performance of corroded CHS T-joints under in-plane bending load

Abstract

This research aims to examine the hysteresis behavior of corroded circular hollow section (CHS) T-joints when subjected to cyclic bending loading. Quasi-static tests including the coupling of brace axial load and in-plane cyclic moment were conducted on corroded CHS T-joint specimens to analyze the effects of corrosion damage on the hysteresis curve, failure mechanism, carrying capacity, and energy dissipation of the joints. Experimental results indicated the corrosion damage located at the different regions of joints had varying effects on the hysteresis behaviors of CHS T-joints. 1) The brace corrosion degree was more severe than the chord corrosion degree under the same exposure condition, however, the chord corrosion had a more significant influence on reducing the stiffness and ultimate carrying capacity of CHS T-joints. The ultimate capacity of CHS T-joints was found to decline by more than 20% when the equivalent thickness loss of the chord was about 9.2%. 2) Compared with chord corrosion, the brace corrosion would relieve the concave deformation and local plastic deformation of the chord so that more plastic cyclic damage concentrated around the intersection line. As a result, the through cracks prematurely occurred from the crown points on both sides, and the energy dissipation of CHS T-joints declined by more than 25% when the equivalent thickness loss of the brace was about 13%. The presence of axial loading on the brace not only affects the symmetry of hysteresis curves in CHS T-joints with non-uniform corrosion, but also exacerbates the concave deformation of the chord in chord corroded joints during the failure stage, thereby affecting the shape of hysteresis loops and fracture behavior of CHS T-joints when subjected to in-plane cyclic bending load.