HOT-SPOT STRESSES OF K-TUBULAR JOINTS SUBJECTED TO COMBINED LOADINGS

An approach has been proposed to verify, and modify if necessary, the conventional method for determining the peak 'hot spot' stresses of va rious configurations of tubular joints subjected to combined loadings. A typical K tubular joint, which was subjected to various loading con ditions, was employed to illustrate the proposed approach. It is found that the accuracy of the peak 'hot spot' stresses estimated by the co nventional method for combined loadings are closely, related to the ty pes of loading condition involved. This is due to the possible change in peak stress locations and directions when various basic load types are combined. The peak 'hot spot' stresses of some combined loadings a re significantly over estimated by the conventional method and, thus, can be reduced in order to provide accurate data for fatigue analysis.