RAPHAEL S. DA SILVA et al.

: NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF CHS K JOINTS 1

Numerical Evaluation of CHS K Joints

Raphael S. da Silva1, Luciano R. O. de Lima2, Pedro C. G. da S. Vellasco2,
José G. S. da Silva2 and Luis F. da Costa Neves3
luciano@eng.uerj.br, vellasco@eng.uerj.br, jgss@eng.uerj.br, luis@dec.uc.pt
1
Post Graduate Program in Civil Engineering - UERJ - State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2
Structural Engineering Department - UERJ - State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
3
Civil Engineering Department from University de Coimbra, Portugal


Abstract—The intensive worldwide use of tubular structural
elements, mainly due to its associated aesthetical and structural
advantages, led designers to be focused on technological and
design issues. Consequently, their design methods accuracy plays
a fundamental role when economical and safety aspects are
considered. Additionally, recent tubular joint studies indicate
further research needs, especially for some joint geometries. This
is even more significant for particular failure modes where the
failure load predictions lead to unsafe or uneconomical solutions.
In this paper a numerical (i.e. non-linear finite element
simulations) based on a parametric study is presented for the
analysis of K tubular joints where both chords and braces are
made of circular hollow sections. The proposed model was a) Footbridge – Rio de Janeiro – CHS K and N joints
validated by comparison to the experiments, analytical results
suggested at the Eurocode 3 and at the new CIDECT formulation
and to the classic deformation limits present in the literature.
The main variables of the study were the brace diameter to chord
diameter ratio and the thickness to chord face diameter ratio.
These parameters were chosen based on recent studies results
that depicted some Eurocode 3 rules discrepancies.

Index Terms—Steel Structures, Tubular Joints, Numerical

Analysis, Nonlinear Analysis

I. INTRODUCTION
b) Footbridge – Rio de Janeiro – CHS K joints

T HE intensive worldwide use of tubular structural

elements, such as the examples depicted in Figure 1,
mainly due to its associated aesthetical and structural
advantages, led designers to be focused on their technological
and design issues [1], [2]. Currently there is not still in Brazil
any code specifically devoted to the tubular joint design. This
fact induces designers to use other international tubular joint
design codes. Additionally, recent tubular joint studies
indicate that further research is needed, especially for some
particular geometries. This is even more significant for some
failure modes where the collapse load predictions lead to
unsafe or uneconomical solutions.

c) Oil exploration platform [3]

Fig. 1. Examples of structures using hollow sections in Brazil.
One of the first comprehensive investigation published in
this area was made by Korol and Mirza [4] focusing on a
Manuscript received February 29, 2012.
numerical FE model with shell elements, and indicated a
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MODELING AND SIMULATION FOR PETROLEUM INDUSTRY, VOL. 6, NO. 1, JUNE 2012 2

simultaneous increase of the joint resistance with the variable verified since the joint geometrical parameters are in
β and/or with the increase of the variable γ. The authors also agreement with the geometrical limits considered in the
referred to the need of establishing a deformation limit criteria Equations (1) to (5). The joint resistances for the chord
for those connections. Packer et al. [5] also observed that the plastification failure and punching shear failure are obtained
connection resistance increases with the increase of β and/or from Equations (6) and (7), respectively.
with the increase of γ, but they also developed a failure path
theory to estimate the connection plastic load capacity.
Some authors like Zhao and Hancock [6], Zhao [7], Lu and
Wardenier [8], Cao et al. [9], [10], Kosteski and Packer [11],
[12] and Kosteski et al. [13] also observed that both the
connection resistance and the initial stiffness increase with the
increase of β and/or with the increase of γ.
Recently Lu et al. [14], [15] (cited in Kosteski et al. [13]),
with results also validated and accepted by Zhao [6],
established an approximate 3%d0 deformation limit criteria.
This 3%d0 limit (Nu) is nowadays widely accepted and is also
the value adopted by the International Institute of Welding
(IIW) [20] for the maximum acceptable displacement
associated to the ultimate limit state, while a 1%d0 limit (Ns) is Fig. 2. Geometrical properties of the CHS K joint [16].
adopted for the serviceability limit state. If the ratio of Nu/Ns
is greater than 1.5, the joint strength should be based on the
serviceability limit state, and if Nu/Ns < 1.5, the ultimate limit
30 o    90 o (1)
state controls the design. In the case of CHS joints, Nu/Ns <
1.5 and the appropriate deformation limit to be used to
d1
determine the ultimate joint strength should be equal to 0. 2     1.0 (2)
0.03d0. d0
In this paper a numerical study (i.e. based on non-linear
FEM simulations) supported by a parametric study is d0
10   0   50 (3)
presented, for the analysis of K tubular joints where both t0
chords and braces use circular hollow sections. The proposed
model was validated by comparison to analytical results
di
suggested by the Eurocode 3 [16], by the new CIDECT [17] 10   i   50 (4)
guide and to literature classic deformation limits. The main ti
variables of the present study were the brace diameter to chord
diameter ratio and the thickness to chord face diameter ratio. d0
  25 (5)
These parameters were chosen based on recent studies results 2t 0
that indicated some Eurocode 3 recommendations
discrepancies to the real failure loads.
k p k g f y 0 t 02
N1,Rd  1.8  10.2  /  M 5 (6)
sin 1
II. EUROCODE 3 AND CIDECT DESIGN CODES PROVISIONS
1  sin  i
N1,Rd  0.58 f y 0 t 0 d i / M5 (7)
According to Eurocode 3 [16] and CIDECT [17], some 2 sin 2  i
geometrical limits need to be verified prior to the evaluation
of the joint resistance – Equations (1) to (5). These limits are
k p  1  0.3n p  0.3n 2p  1.0 (8)
presented in Figure 2 where di and ti represent, respectively,
the tube diameter and thickness.
The formulation for the design of a in plane joint type T, X  0.024 1.2 
k g   0.2 1   (9)
 1  exp0.5 g / t 0  1.33 
and K is based on design equations proposed by Kurobane et
al. [18] and, after some simplifications and design rules
evaluation performed by Wardenier [19], were incorporated in Where N1,Rd is the chord plastification failure or punching
the IIW Recommendations [20]. shear failure load;  is a geometrical parameter according to
For the CHS K joint considered in this work, the Eurocode Equation (5); kp is evaluated according to Equation (8) if np<0,
3 [16] establishes that the chord plastification failure and or equal to 1 if np≥0 where np is obtained in Equation (15); kg
punching shear failure are the ultimate limit state to be is evaluated according to Equation (9); np is equal to 0p / fy0;
RAPHAEL S. DA SILVA et al.: NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF CHS K JOINTS
0p is the chord normal stress under the compressive brace; fy0
is the chord yield stress; 1 is obtained according to Figure 2;
 is a geometrical parameter according to Equation (2) and M5
is the partial safety factor, in this case equal to 1.
Based on extensive investigations combined with additional
finite elements models, Wardenier et al. [17] proposed a new
design formulation for CHS joints presented in the new
CIDECT Guide [17]. The parameters influence was
determined through a retro analysis of the numerical models.
After some simplifications, the equations were applied to
Makino et al. [21] experimental results and to Qian et al. [22]
numerical models.
The Eurocode 3 [16] geometrical requirements should also
be verified, but, in some particular cases, the validity range of
the parameter  could be enlarged. The IIW [20] limited the
ratio to 2 ≤ 50 and for ratios beyond this limit, states that the
joint design is governed by deformation limits. This is due to
the fact that in those cases the joint deformation capacity will
not be sufficient to redistribute the second order moments. In
the joint design equations, the chord bending effects due to
brace loads are included in function of the chord stress Qf,
enabling a better evaluation of the joint capacity. The previous
formulation for the chord plastification failure was based on
experimental results. These results were influenced by the
chord bending due the experimental tests layout. According to
the new formulation proposed in CIDECT [17], the chord
plastification failure and punching shear failure loads are
obtained using Equations (10) and (11), respectively, where
the parameters Qu, Qf and ka are described in Equations (12) to
(14) where di ≤ d0-2t0.
f y 0 t 02
N i*  Qu Q f (10)
sin 1
ka
N i*  0,58 f y 0t0d i (11)
sen i
 
Qu  1.65 1  8 1.6  0.3 1   1 
0.8 
(12)
 1.2  g / t 0  
Q f  1  n 
C1
(13)
1 sin  i
ka  (14)
2 sin  i
N 0 p ,Sd M 0 ,Sd
n  (15)
N pl ,0 M pl ,0
Where Ni* is the chord plastification load (Equation 10) or
punching shear load (Equation 11);  is a geometrical
parameter according to Equation (5) and C1 is equal to 0.25 if
3
n<0 (compression) or equal to 0.20 if n≥0 (tension);
At this point it is important to explain how the chord axial
force is obtained in order to evaluate the n or np parameter. As
it can be observed in Figure 3, the value of N0p,Sd is obtained
as the resultant of the axial force under the compression brace
– Equation (16). The bending moment evaluation M0,Sd –
Equation (17) - corresponds to the normal stress acting in the
joint connected face. So, at this point, the lever arm to be
considered is e+d0/2 where d0 is the joint eccentricity and d0 is
the chord diameter.
N 0 ,Sd  N 0 p ,Sd   N i ,Sd .cos  i (16)
 d 
M 0 ,Sd  N1 .cos 1  N 2 .cos  2 . e  0  (17)
 2 
d0/2
e
(N1cos1 +N2cos2)
Fig. 3. Deformation limit criteria evaluation
III. DEFORMATION LIMIT CRITERIA
Usually, the steel tubular joints design rules are based on
plastic analysis or in deformation limits criteria [7], [13]. In a
plastic analysis using the yield lines method, each kinetically
allowable failure mechanism is associated to a structural load
multiplier that is greater or equal to its failure multiplier. The
solution however depends on the adopted mechanism. Some
examples may be cited [10], [13], [23], [24]. The deformation
limits criteria usually associated to the out of plane loaded
chord face ultimate limit state corresponds to the maximum
deformation of this component in that direction.
The reason for using deformation limit criteria is that, for
slender chord faces, the joint stiffness does not vanish after
the full yield and may reach elevated values due to membrane
effects. This phenomenon can be observed experimentally and
in the curves obtained from numerical simulations
incorporating the geometrical and physical nonlinearities and
will be discussed later. It is evident that a greater maximum
load is reached in experimental tests, but the absence of the
knee in these curves may difficult the identification of the
point corresponding to the ultimate limit state. Consequently,
comparisons of experimental results to results obtained from
plastic analysis have to be based on deformation limit criteria.
The deformation limit proposed by Lu et al. [14], [15] and
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MODELING AND SIMULATION FOR PETROLEUM INDUSTRY, VOL. 6, NO. 1, JUNE 2012 4

cited by Choo et al. [25] may be used in the axial or bending presented in Table I. As cited before, this CHS K joint was
loads evaluation for joints subjected to bending and axial used in the numerical model calibration.
internal forces. The joint resistance is based on the
comparison of the deformation in the intersection chord-brace
for two loads levels: the ultimate resistance, Nu, that
corresponds to a chord out of plane displacement of u =
0.03d0, and the serviceability limit, Ns, obtained from a out of
plane displacement s = 0.01d0 according to Figure 4.

P
Nu

Ns

a) Finite element model

1%d0 3%d0 
Fig. 4. Deformation limit criteria evaluation [25].

According to this author, if the ratio Nu/Ns is less than 1.5,

the joint design should be based on the ultimate limit state, Nu.
On the other hand, if Nu/Ns is greater than 1.5, the joint design
is controlled by the serviceability limit, i.e., Ns.

IV. NUMERICAL MODEL b) Eccentricity representation, loads path and boundary conditions

The numerical model developed in this work was calibrated

with experimental results performed by Kurobane et al., [18].
This model consists of a CHS K joints with chord and brace
diameters equal to 216.3 and 165.2mm and a thickness of 8.0
and 4.5mm, respectively. The material constitutive law was
considered elastic- perfect plastic with yield stresses of
460MPa for the chord and 409MPa for the braces. The Young
Modulus was considered as 210000MPa. This numerical
model was developed in the Ansys 12.0 FEM package [26]
using shell elements - SHELL181 – with six degrees of c) weld geometry d) weld structural model [27]
freedom per node, i.e., translations and rotations about X, Y Fig. 5. Finite element model.
and Z axis. This model is presented in Figure 5, where it can
be noticed that the mesh was more refined near the welds and
more regular and coarse in the remaining parts to avoid
numerical convergence problems [29]. TABLE I
The load control was based on equivalent displacements. CALIBRATION JOINT GEOMETRICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES [18]
The physical nonlinearity was considered through the von Properties Value Definition
Mises yield criteria and the geometrical nonlinearity was
d0 [mm] 216.3 Chord diameter
evaluated using Updated Lagrangian Formulation. The model d1 [mm] 165.0 Brace diameter
results were compared to the analytical results of the Eurocode t0 [mm] 7.82 Chord thickness
3 [16] in terms of the joint ultimate limit state. Table 1 ti [mm] 4.32 Brace thickness
L0 [mm] 1560 Chord length
presents the geometrical and physical properties of the joint Li [mm] 800 Braces length
tested by Kurobane et al. [18] and the numerical model [mm] 20.0 Applied displacement in the braces
results. Figure 6 presents the numerical model load versus fy [MPa] 460 Chord yield stress
displacement curves for the joints whose properties are fy [MPa] 409 Brace yield stress
RAPHAEL S. DA SILVA et al.: NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF CHS K JOINTS 5

E [GPa] 210 Young modulus

 0.3 Poisson coeficient

The limits of 1%d0 and 3%d0 according to the deformation

limit criteria developed by Lu et al. [14], [15] for
serviceability and ultimate limit states can be observed in
these curves, together with the experimental values obtained
from Kurobane et al. [18] and the analytical values from
Eurocode 3 [16] and new CIDECT [17]. According to
Equation (6), the maximum load to be applied in the braces
that not cause failure in the chord is N1,Rd = 427.67 kN
corresponding to the Eurocode 3 design [16]. On the other
hand, by the CIDECT formulation [17], a value of N1* =
832.50 kN is obtained. The experimental value obtained by
Kurobane et al. [18] was equal to 794.00 kN corresponding to
the chord plastification failure followed by the local buckling
in the compression brace. The deformed shapes obtained in
the experimental and numerical evaluations are presented in
Figure 7 showing a good agreement.
1200
1000
800
Load [KN]
Local buckling in compression brace
b) Numerical deformed shape
Fig. 7. Deformed K joint
Since the ratio Nu/Ns is less than 1.5, Nu controls the joint
design and the maximum load to be applied on the braces is
Nu = 852.70 kN. With these considerations it is possible to
conclude that the Eurocode 3 [16] design lead to overdesigned
joints when compared to new CIDECT [17] and deformation
limit criteria values [14], [15] and to the experiments [18]. It
was also observed that the values obtained with the new
CIDECT [17] design rules led to safe design values when
compared to the deformation limits but to unsafe predictions
when compared to the experiments. But it is important to
emphasize that the new CIDECT [17] formulation led to a
better agreement with the deformation limits and experiments.

600
It was also observed that the punching shear resistance for
400
Serviciability Limit State (1% d0)
Ultimate Limit State (3%d0)
this joint is greater than the chord plastification failure load
Experimental Ultimate Load (Kurobane et al., 1986) confirming that this ultimate limit state controls the joint
Eurocode 3 (2003)
200 CIDECT (Packer et al, 2008) design. This fact indicates that the joint design is controlled by
Compression Brace
Tension Brace the ultimate limit state of chord plastification failure. Figure 8
0 presents the von Mises stress distributions from the numerical
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Displacement [mm] analysis for the three load levels presented in Figure 5.
Fig. 6. Load versus displacement curves – calibration CHS joint - Chord of
216.3x7.82 mm with 165x4.32 mm braces

V. PARAMETRICAL ANALYSIS
The investigation proceeded with a parametrical analysis
varying some geometrical parameters with the aim of
evaluating their influence over the K joints global resistance.
Table II presents the main adopted parameters summarizing
twelve numerical models.
It is important to emphasize that the chosen combinations
were made in agreement with the geometrical limits
preconized by the Eurocode 3 [16] and new CIDECT [17].
Three different profiles were chosen for the chord:
168.3x5mm, 219.1x8mm and 298.5x8mm, respectively [30].
Local buckling in compression brace For each chord, four different profiles were used for the
braces, keeping the same relation between the geometrical
a) Experimental deformed shape [18] parameters. The weld thicknesses were considered equal to
the smaller thickness to be welded in the joint between the
chord and the brace, respectively.

TABLE II
GEOMETRICAL PROPERTIES – PARAMETRICAL ANALYSIS

ID Chord Brace = di/d0

1 168.3 5.0 16.83 88.9 5.0 17.78 0.53
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MODELING AND SIMULATION FOR PETROLEUM INDUSTRY, VOL. 6, NO. 1, JUNE 2012 6

2 168.3 5.0 16.83 101.6 5.0 20.32 0.60 published the second edition of the Design Guide for Circular
3 168.3 5.0 16.83 114.3 5.0 22.86 0.68
4 168.3 5.0 16.83 127.0 5.0 25.40 0.75
Hollow Section (CHS) Joints Under Predominantly Static
5 219.1 8.0 13.69 114.3 8.0 14.29 0.52 Loading [17] with a new formulation to evaluate CHS joints
6 219.1 8.0 13.69 127.0 8.0 15.88 0.58 resistances. The present paper presented a comparative study
7 219.1 8.0 13.69 139.7 8.0 17.46 0.64
between these two design codes: Eurocode 3 [16] and new
8 219.1 8.0 13.69 159.0 8.0 19.88 0.73
9 298.5 8.0 18.66 152.4 8.0 19.05 0.51 CIDECT [17]. It is important to emphasize that the design
10 298.5 8.0 18.66 168.3 8.0 21.04 0.56 recommendations from Eurocode 3 [16] were based on the
11 298.5 8.0 18.66 193.7 8.0 24.21 0.65 first edition of the CIDECT design guide [28].
12 298.5 8.0 18.66 219.1 8.0 27.39 0.73
This paper also presented a numerical study through Finite
Element Method using Ansys software [26] of circular hollow
Table III depicts the numerical results related to the chord section K joints, calibrated with an experimental test
plastification ultimate limit state according to the Eurocode 3
performed by Kurobane et al. [18]. The results were compared
[16], Equation (6), and CIDECT [17], Equation (10) as well
to analytical results obtained from the Eurocode 3 [16] and
the punching shear ultimate limit state values.
CIDECT formulations [17] and to deformation limit criteria
The results indicate that both Eurocode 3 [16] and new
CIDECT [17] lead to safe values when compared to the proposed by Zhao [7] and Lu et al. [14], [15].
numerical results. However, the values obtained from new Figures 9 to 11 indicate that the increase of the  parameter
CIDECT formulation [17] presented a better agreement with conducted to an increase of the joint capacity, being in line
the deformation limit criteria. The last column of Table III with Equations (6) and (10). It is important to highlight that
indicates that the maximum loads to be applied by the braces the  parameter also contributes to the higher joint capacity.
in the chord corresponding to the punching shear ultimate The von Mises stress distribution presented in Figure 8
limit state are significantly greater than the chord yield failure indicates that the chord plastification failure is the ultimate
loads, proofing that the ULS controls the K joint design. limit state that controls the joint design corroborating the
Eurocode 3 [16] and new CIDECT design rules [17]. This
TABLE III
condition was verified through a comparison of the ultimate
RESULTS COMPARISON - PARAMETRICAL ANALYSIS
limit states for the K joint: chord plastification and punching
Nu Ns Nu N1,Rd N *i Np shear failure.
ID N1,Rd N1*
Ns Ns Ns
(Ansys)
1 130 171 240 250 0.96 0.54 0.71 484
2 141 187 282 272 1.04 0.5 0.66 553
3 155 285 316 306 1.03 0.49 0.9 622
4 172 327 354 345 1.03 0.49 0.92 691
5 324 410 592 601 0.99 0.55 0.69 995
6 348 582 648 658 0.98 0.54 0.9 1105
7 377 656 703 719 0.98 0.54 0.93 1216
8 439 776 799 818 0.98 0.55 0.97 1384
9 364 475 682 673 1.01 0.53 0.7 1327
10 384 516 747 736 1.02 0.51 0.69 1465
11 416 571 862 845 1.02 0.48 0.66 1686
12 455 865 988 966 1.02 0.46 0.88 1907

Figures 8 to 11 present the load versus displacement curves

for all numerical models evaluated in this work with the main
objective of illustrating the attainment of the numerical joint
resistance according to the deformation limit criteria. It is a) Brace compression load = 561.51 kN
important to emphasize that these values were obtained for the
joints compression braces considering that these values are
less than the joints tension braces values after the first yielding
- Figure 7.

VI. CONCLUSIONS
The structural steel welded tubular joints design is covered
by the Eurocode 3 part 1.8 [16] for various tubular sections.
This design code recommends the ratios of the main
geometrical parameters that should be satisfied and the
different ultimate limit states that control the tubular joint
design. The design guidance can only be used if some specific
geometrical limitations are satisfied. In 2008, the CIDECT
RAPHAEL S. DA SILVA et al.: NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF CHS K JOINTS 7

Fig. 9. CHS K joint chord 168.3 x 5.0mm - curves load x displacement

1000

900

800

700

600

Carga [KN]
500
CHS_219.1 x 114.3_Beta 0,52  compression
400 CHS_219.1 x 127_Beta 0,58  compression

300 CHS_219.1 x 139.7_Beta 0,64  compression
CHS_219.1 x 159_Beta 0,73  compression
200
Serviceability limit state (1% of d0)
100
Ultimate limit state (3% of d0)
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Deslocamento [mm]
b) Brace compression load = 704.10 kN
Fig. 10. CHS K joint chord 219.1 x 8.0mm - curves load x displacement

1200

1000

800
Carga [KN]

600
CHS_298.5 x 152.4_Beta 0,51  compression
CHS_298.5 x 168.3_Beta 0,56  compression
400
CHS_298.5 x 193.7_Beta 0,65  compression
CHS_298.5 x 219.1_Beta 0,73  compression
200 Serviceability limit state (1% of d0)
Ultimate limit state (3% of d0)

c) Brace compression load = 808.56 kN
Fig. 8. Von Mises stress distribuition – calibratrion joint
Figures 9 to 11 indicate that the increase of the  parameter
conducted to an increase of the joint capacity, being in line
with Equations (6) and (10). It is important to highlight that
the  parameter also contributes to the higher joint capacity.
The von Mises stress distribution presented in Figure 8
indicates that the chord plastification failure is the ultimate
limit state that controls the joint design corroborating the
Eurocode 3 [16] and new CIDECT design rules [17]. This
condition was verified through a comparison of the ultimate
limit states for the K joint: chord plastification and punching
shear failure.
450
400
350
300
Load [KN]
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Deslocamento [mm]
Fig. 11. CHS K joint chord 298.5 x 8.0mm - curves load x displacement
A parametrical analysis was also performed to evaluate the
parameter influence over the global joint behavior. Twelve
different combinations were chosen with a set of four braces
and three chords. This choice was based on structural
elements diameters of common use in Brazil. Observing the
obtained numerical results, it can be concluded that the joint
resistance is proportional to the  parameter. It could also be
concluded that within the geometrical limits preconized by the
Eurocode 3 [16], the numerical results, the analytical results
and the deformation limit criteria values were found to be
compatible and satisfactory.
Table III indicates that the Eurocode 3 [16] results
presented values substantially conservative when compared to
deformation limit criteria values.
On the other hand, the results obtained from new CIDECT
[17] formulation presented a good agreement with the
deformation limit criteria values and still, led to a safe design
when compared to the numerical results.

250

200 CHS_168.3 x 88.9 Beta 0,53 compression The values for the punching shear ultimate limit state were
150
CHS_168.3 x 101.6_Beta 0,60  compression also presented to highlight that the analyzed joints do not have
100
CHS_168.3 x 114.3_Beta 0,68  compression
their design controlled by this ultimate limit state. Finally it
CHS_168.3 x 127_Beta 0,75  compression
Serviceability limit state (1% of d0)
can be concluded that for the studied K joints, respecting all
50
Ultimate limit state (3% of d0) geometrical limits, the chord yield failure will control the joint
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
design. The results obtained from the Eurocode 3 [16] led to a
Displacement [mm] significantly uneconomical design contrary to the results
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MODELING AND SIMULATION FOR PETROLEUM INDUSTRY, VOL. 6, NO. 1, JUNE 2012 8

obtained from the new CIDECT formulation [17]. [21] Makino, Y., Kurobane, Y., Ochi, K., Vegte, G.J. van der, and
Wilmshurst, S.R., 1996: Database of test and numerical analysis results
for unstiffened tubular joints. IIW Doc. XV-E-96-220.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT [22] Qian, X.D., Choo, Y.S., Vegte, G.J. van der, and Wardenier, J., 2008:
Evaluation of the new IIW CHS strength formulae for thick-walled
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Brazilian National
joints. Proceedings 12th International Symposium on Tubular Structures,
and State Science Support Agencies: CAPES, CNPq and Shanghai, China, Tubular Structures XII, Taylor & Francis Group,
FAPERJ for the financial support granted to this research London, UK, pp. 271-279.
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