A finite element method based yield load determination procedure for hollow structural section connections

Analytical formulae based on yield line theory need to be validated by a rational determination of the yield load from experimental results. Such a comparison is then complicated by the inability to conclusively determine the yield load from load-deformation curves. Existing methods for determining the yield load from load-deformation curves are discretionary in nature. A FEM-based rigid, perfectly-plastic, yield load determination, as presented in this paper, represents a rational yield or ultimate limit state load for connections that do not otherwise exhibit a clearly defined yield or peak load. The efficacy of this newly postulated rigid, perfectly-plastic yield load determination is demonstrated by a comprehensive parametric FEM numerical study on stiffened branch plate-to-rectangular Hollow Structural Section (HSS) connections.