Innovative One‐way Connections between I‐beams and CHS columns

Abstract Although stiffeners and gusset plates are often used in conventional I‐beam‐to‐CHS‐column connections for an efficient load transfer, they usually result in high welding quantities. Directly welding the beams to the column exposes the beams to premature flange fractures and the columns to severe local distortions. Both approaches therefore hinder the use of such connections in the industry. However, if designed efficiently, the CHS connections can offer a viable solution with an excellent structural behavior in tension, compression and bending in all directions. In this context, the present contribution proposes two new moment resisting one‐way connection configurations with I‐beams or steel plates passing through the CHS column, developed within the European research project LASTTS, with the aim of simplifying the fabrication process and increasing the structural performance of such joints with an effective reduction of the foretold drawbacks. The “passing‐through” system is developed using a laser cut & weld technology and avoids the localized damages, premature flange failures as well as the excessive usage of stiffening plates required by the conventional CHS connections. These connections are first designed based on a recently developed code‐like procedure and are then assessed through nonlinear finite element models ‐ primarily calibrated on experimental results to validate the modelling assumptions – in order to characterize the influence of the different parameters of the joints.