Numerical Evaluation of Chord Failure Resistance for Multi-Intersection Tubular Joints with Non-Regular Geometry: A Case Study

Recent architectonic trends in the design of truss systems with multiple structural members, as well as design and construction requirements for the evaluation of the ultimate strength of hollow section walls at the location of the joints (chord failure resistance), can sometimes lead to cases in which tubular joints cannot be managed in a systematic manner in accordance with current codes and guidelines. Often, they are not easy to compare with technical recommendations and those from the literature. As a result, this means that the designer has to use alternative criteria for evaluating the ultimate strength of the structural joints, including, as stated here, numerical analyses which are specifically intended to discover the ultimate design loads. This work refers precisely to the use of the finite element method for numerical analyses, adopted as an additional and comparative means for the European Standard EN_1993-1-8 (Design of Joints) [1] for research into chord failure resistance of multi-intersection tubular joints with non-regular geometry.