SCF EQUATIONS FOR T AND K SQUARE TUBULAR WELDED JOINTS.

Abstract

A parametric stress analysis of T and K square tubular joints subjected to axial loads and in-plane bending moments has been performed using the finite element technique. A total of eleven and eighteen sets of geometric parameters were used for T and K joints respectively in this parametric study. This study is carried out with the purpose of providing a sound basis for using square tubular sections in the design of offshore structures. The results of this analysis are presented as a set of twenty two formulae expressing the stress concentration factor as a function of the relevant geometric parameters for various loading conditions. A comparison is made between the results obtained from square tubular joints and those obtained by Kuang et al for round tubular joints. Square tubular joints were found to withstand axial loads better than round tubular joints. However, the reverse is true for in-plane bending moments.