The effects of adjacent braces on the static strength of a corner YT joint

The results of the 12 tests of loading a 90\0\ or a 45\0\ brace alone in 6 loading modes were compared with the strength of T and Y joints. There were no significant differences except for in plane bending of a 90\0\ or a 45\0\ brace, away from the other, where the strength was reduced by the presence of the unloaded brace. YT type loading (simultaneous loading of both braces in in the same axial plane) showed that the load in the adjacent brace could reduce the strength by up to 50 per cent or increase it by up to 40 per cent, depending on the ratio of the loads. (Abstract uses original text)