Evaluating mesoscale strain limit for transverse plate-to-rhs x joints including grade 700 steel

Recently, mesoscale strain limit has been introduced for finite element (FE) analysis and FE-based design of welded steel tubular joints. The strain limit criterion appears to be useful particularly for the joints made of high strength steels, considering their lower ductility and higher propensity to fracture failure when subjected to tensile strains. While the latest revised draft of ISO 14346 recommended the use of 5% principal strain as the strain limit for all kinds of tubular joints, a previous study by the authors has demonstrated that a limit lower than 5% principal strain may be required for welded plate connections. In this study, the load-deformation relationship and fracture failure of transverse plate-to-RHS X-joints are investigated to evaluate appropriate strain limit for such type of joints. Based on test and test-validated FE analysis with a high strength steel of grade 700 (i.e., nominal yield stress of 700 MPa), it is suggested that more conservative strain limit should be applied to transverse plate-to-RHS X-joints.