RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF ECCENTRICALLY LOADED WELDED CONNECTIONS IN DIRECT SHEAR AND TENSION: APPROXIMATE PROCEDURE

Abstract

Reliability analysis of eccentrically welded connections fabricated from grade S2 75 steel plates, in direct shear and tension using approximate method of analysis in accordance with BS5950’ was carried using First Order Reliability Method (FORM). Design variables such as load eccentricity, ratio of breadth-to-depth of weld, weld strength and throat thickness of weld were varied at varying values of design eccentric loads. Based on the results presented, failure of the four-sided welded connections is more sensitive to variation in the strength of weld and would occur at lower weld strengths. On the other hand, in three-sided welded connections, failure occurs as a result of insufficient breadth-to depth ratio. It was also shown among other findings that, the target safety indices of four-sided and three-sided welded connections are 2.872 and 3.005 respectively. The design of the two types of connections considering the BS5950’ design criteria are satisfactory and economical2. Again, the four-sided connection is in practice loaded with higher eccentric loads because of its stability, but, will however, be unsafe at very high loads. The BS5 950’ design criteria of eccentrically loaded welded connections in direct shear and tension using approximate design procedure is satisfactory.