BUTT WELDS AND TRANSVERSE FILLET WELDS IN THIN COLD-FORMED RHS MEMBERS

This paper describes welded-connection tests that were performed on re ctangular hollow sections (RHS). The thickness of the RHS sections var ied from 1.6 to 3.0 mm. Both butt welds and transverse fillet welds we re tested where the tension load was perpendicular to the direction of the weld. The test results are compared with existing American, Austr alian, Canadian, and European design formulas, and proposed design for mulas are given. The reliability analysis method is used to calibrate the existing and proposed design formulas.