Welded connections in thin cold-formed rectangular hollow sections

Abstract

This chapter describes welded connection tests, which were performed on C450L0 Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS). The thickness of the RHS sections varied from 1.6 mm to 3.0 mm. Butt welds, transverse fillet welds and longitudinal fillet welds were tested, and the test results are compared with existing Australian and American design formulae. The test results are also compared with the proposed design rules for welds in RHS members derived from the previous research project on C350L0 RHS members. The reliability analysis method is used to calibrate the existing and proposed design rules. Tests are performed on welds in C350L0 RHS members and proposed design rules are given for butt welds, transverse fillet welds and longitudinal fillet welds. The cold-formed Square Hollow Sections (SHS) and RHS sections used in the tests were supplied by Tube makers of Australia Limited. These sections were manufactured by a unique cold forming process, including in-line galvanizing so that the complete penetration butt weld of C350L0 tubes may be designed in accordance with the tension member rule in AISI- 1991 (AISI, 1991) with a capacity (resistance) factor of 0.95 or the tension member rule in AS4100-1990 with a capacity (resistance) factor of 0.90.