Knee joints in cold-formed channel portal frames: problems and pitfalls
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(Published version)
Date
2012
Authors
Mills, J.E.
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Journal article
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Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, 2012; 13(2):191-201
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Abstract
Cold-formed C-channel sections have been used in portal frame sheds for a wide range of domestic, agricultural and light industrial applications for many years in Australia and New Zealand. However, in many cases the knee joint designs have been copied from hot-rolled portal frame designs, regardless of the clearly different nature of the sections being connected. Testing has demonstrated that many of the joint designs widely used in practice do not achieve the moment capacity of the sections and fail prematurely. Various alternative joint designs have been proposed and constructed, but many of these also fail to meet required capacities under test. This paper reviews the issues relevant to design and construction of such knee joints and considers the positives and negatives of the principal categories of joints currently used in the cold-formed shed industry. It summarises the fi ndings from a large number of tests conducted over a number of years on many of these joints. It concludes with some cautionary notes regarding what is required for design and construction if these commonly used structures are to function as intended from a structural viewpoint.
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Copyright 2012 Institution of Engineers Australia
Access Condition Notes: Accepted manuscript is available open access