Re-evaluation of the moment capacity of CHS joints

Current design formulae for circular hollow-section (CHS) T and X joints loaded by brace in-plane or out-of-plane bending moments are based on a limited number of tests available from the early 1980s. In the last three decades, many experimental studies and numerical research programmes have been conducted in this area. This study re-evaluates the brace moment capacity strength of T and X joints. The available data are checked against possible member failures, while the experimental data are carefully screened with respect to outliers. Detailed comparisons are made between finite-element results and ‘reliable' test data obtained from different research programmes. Based on the selected data, the existing strength equations are updated.