Keywords: T-stub, finite element analysis, parametric analysis, component method, Eurocode 3, Eurocode 9, aluminium connections.

The paper presents a parametric study of aluminium T-stub joints using finite element models, which have been previously calibrated on the basis of the available experimental tests. The main goal is to examine the most important mechanical and geometrical parameters influencing the failure modes, the developing yield patterns and, therefore, the effective length to be assumed for calculating the ultimate strength of T-stubs according to Eurocode 9 [1].

All the cases analysed are obtained by assuming that the aluminium alloy EN-AW6082-T6151 as the unique material for both flanges and webs and by considering four T-stub geometries, three thicknesses for the flanges and three types of materials for the bolts. In this way, thirty six models are finally analysed.

The results obtained demonstrate that the EC9 k-method is reliable enough for interpreting the T-stub connection behaviour when weak bolts are employed and when the effective length is not influenced by the thickness of the flange and the pitch of the bolts. On the contrary, EC9 provides an overestimation of the ultimate resistance when T-stubs with significant thicknesses and high pitches are considered, especially in the case of the failure "mode 1" (i.e. complete failure of the T-stub flange), which is related to the effective length concept.

Therefore, the paper outcomes are very useful for checking the field of validity of the current EC9 formulation. They represent a significant extension of previous experimental tests and numerical analysis results carried out in the past [2,3,4].

1

EN 1999-1-1, Eurocode 9, "Design of aluminium structures - Part 1-1: general structural rules", February 2007.

2

G. De Matteis, A. Mandara, F.M. Mazzolani, "T-stub aluminium joints: influence of behavioural parameters", Computer and Structures, 78(1-3), 311-327, 2000. doi:10.1016/S0045-7949(00)00081-X

3

G. De Matteis, M. Brescia, A. Formisano, F.M. Mazzolani, "Behaviour of welded aluminium T-stub joints under monotonic loading", Computer and Structures, 87, 990-1002, 2009. doi:10.1016/j.compstruc.2008.04.022

4

G. De Matteis, F.M. Mazzolani, "Behaviour of welded aluminium T-stub connections: experimental analysis and interpretative models", Proceedings of the ASCE Structures Congress, May 2006. doi:10.1061/40889(201)45

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