NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE STRESS CONCENTRATION FACTOR OF TUBULAR K-JOINTS

The stress concentration factor of K-joints subjectedaxial loads is analyzed using finite element method. 3D solid elements areused to model the entire structure, which is divided intoseveral zones and the mesh of each zone is produced separately. Thereafter,the mesh of the entire structure is obtained by merging the meshes of all thezones. The general software package ABAQUS is used to analyze the stressconcentration factor (SCF) along the weld of tubular K-joint subjected toaxial compression loads. The effects of different parameters on the SCF ofchord and brace of K-joints are investigated. Finally, the detailedeffects of the geometrical parameters on the SCF and the place of the SCF ofK-joints are obtained from parametric analysis.