Abstract This article presents a theoretical and numerical study of bolted sleeve connections with rectangular hollow sections (RHS) under axial tension and compression. The geometric form of a hollow section provides resistance for high axial loads, torsion and combines effects, spreading its utilization in truss systems. In this context, the sleeve connections proposed explore these characteristics of RHS and offer an attractive aesthetic appearance for the continuity of elements. The bolted sleeve connection with RHS is formed by two outer tubes connected by an inner tube and staggered bolts. Herein, a parametric study was developed for identification of the failure modes in the connection. Finite element models with different geometric parameters and number of bolts were created in commercial software. The width, depth and thickness of RHS tubes and diameter of bolts were variated. In the theoretical/numerical/parametric results, the yielding gross section failure, the fracture through the effective net area failure and the bearing failure were observed. These failure modes occurred in both outer and inner tubes. The load results were compared to determine the resistance capacity of sleeve connections. The theoretical formulations were evaluated for representation of the ultimate load of the failure modes. (RHS compression loads effects systems context elements Herein software width variated theoreticalnumericalparametric observed

Abstract This article analyzes sleeve connections between circular hollow sections. This type of connection is composed of two tubes connected by bolts to an inner tube with a smaller diameter, and explores the efficiency, aesthetics and resistance of hollow sections subjected to tension and compression. In previous researches, sleeve connections with aligned and crossed bolt dispositions and under axial tension were studied. Herein, the behavior of sleeve connections with aligned bolts and under compression was analyzed. A model to represent the connection using the finite element method was developed, which allowed a numerical analysis with geometric property variations. In the numerical/parametric results, bearing failure was observed in all cases, either in the outer or inner tube. Limiting the number of bolts to 6 and considering that connections have a lower outer thickness than the inner tube, a formulation was proposed to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of sleeve connections under compression and with bearing failure.

Abstract Circular hollow sections are usually used in long-span roof truss systems. One of the typology for connecting elements in such structures involves the flattening of bar ends. This article presents the numerical analysis of a plane truss composed of circular hollow sections, in which diagonal bars have flattened ends. In this sense, a new flattening typology called stiffened flattening is proposed, characterized by a non-flat geometry, with the creation of stiffeners in the lateral edges of the diagonal flattened ends. The diagonal connecting system with the chord members uses connecting plates. The plates are welded to the chords and the diagonals are connected to latter through a single bolt. The numerical analysis using finite elements method was developed in two stages through ANSYS software with the Parametric Design Language (APDL), in which parameters such as geometry, materials, element types, boundary conditions and loads are specified. A non-linear analysis was performed using shell elements on the chords, diagonals, plates and welds, and contact elements between the diagonals with stiffened flattened ends and the connecting plates. Initially, a numerical study of the connecting node and the stiffened flattened end was performed, and the results directed the modeling of the plane truss. The numerical results were calibrated with the experimental truss results in full scale. The numerical result of the plane truss was also compared to a theoretical study, considering the axial load eccentricity applied in the diagonal with stiffened flattened ends. The study was based on the consideration of combined effects of axial force and bending moment provided by the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 8800:2008. The final results indicate that the numerical model proposed is efficient and has good correlation with the experimental and theoretical results.

Abstract The circular hollow sections (CHS) are being widely employed in steel structures around the world, increasing the development of new researches. This article proposes an innovative connection model for circular hollow sections that facilitates and reduces the assembly cost of hollow section structures. The proposed connection is a tube sleeve, used to splice two tubes, composed of an inner tube with a diameter smaller than the connecting tubes, which is connected to the outer tubes by bolts passing through both tubes. This connection can be a cheaper and easier alternative to flange connections, which are widely used in large span tubular trusses. The connection was tested in laboratory under tension loading. The tests made it possible to identify the influence of stress distribution on tubes and the need for the use of a shear lag coefficient. The results of the ultimate load capacity demonstrated the viability of the tube sleeve connection use.