Fire design: Welded lap joint

Component-based finite element method (CBFEM) of a fillet weld in a lap joint during fire is verified with component method (CM).

Description

Three plates are connected in two configurations, namely with a transverse weld and with a longitudinal weld. The steel grade, length, and throat thickness of the weld are the variable parameters in the study. The joint is loaded by a normal force.

The model was created in IDEA StatiCa Connection application.

Geometry of welded lap joint with transverse weld

Fig. 1: Geometry of welded lap joint with transverse weld

Analytical Model

The design resistance per unit length of a fillet weld in fire should be determined from:

\[ F_{w,t,Rd}=F_{w,Rd}k_{w,\theta}\frac{\gamma_{M2}}{\gamma_{M,fi}}\]

where \(k_{w,\theta}\) is obtained from EN 1993-1-2, Table D.1 for the appropriate weld temperature; \(F_{w,Rd}\) is determined from EN 1993-1-8, Cl. 4.5.3.

Verification

Tab. 1: Transverse fillet welds

Transverse fillet welds
Parametric study of temperature for transverse weld

Fig. 2: Parametric study of temperature for transverse weld

Parametric study of steel grade for transverse weld

Fig. 3: Parametric study of steel grade for transverse weld

Parametric study of weld length throat thickness for transverse weld

Fig. 4: Parametric study of weld length throat thickness for transverse weld

The resistance of transverse fillet welds is in most cases slightly higher (on average by 3 %) in CBFEM than in AM. The exception is the temperature of 350 °C. At this temperature, the resistance of welds is affected only slightly by fire, and the difference between partial safety factors \(\gamma_{M,fi}=1.0\) and \(\gamma_{M2}=1.25\) overweight the decrease due to fire. IDEA StatiCa does not allow the bolt or weld resistance to be higher in fire than at room temperature and assumes the minimum of:

  • Load resistance multiplied by reduction factor for temperature, \(k_{\theta}\), and divided by safety factor for fire design situation, \(\gamma_{M,fi}\)
  • Load resistance divided by safety factor for bolts and welds, \(\gamma_{M2}\)


Tab. 2: Longitudinal fillet welds

Longitudinal fillet welds
Parametric study of temperature for longitudinal weld

Fig. 5: Parametric study of temperature for longitudinal weld

Parametric study of steel grade for longitudinal weld

Fig. 6: Parametric study of steel grade for longitudinal weld

Parametric study of weld length throat thickness for longitudinal weld

Fig. 7: Parametric study of weld length throat thickness for longitudinal weld

The resistance of longitudinal fillet welds is in most cases slightly lower (on average by 4 %) in CBFEM than in AM. The exception is the temperature of 350 °C for the same reason as for transverse welds.

Benchmark example

Inputs

Plate 2-3: Custom I-profile

  • Thickness t2-3 = 12 mm
  • Width b2-3 = 40 mm
  • Steel S355

Plate 1

  • Thickness t1 = 12 mm
  • Width b1 = 50 mm
  • Steel S355
  • Model type N-Vy-Vz

Weld, transverse fillet welds

  • Throat thickness ab = 3 mm
  • Weld length Lb = 40 mm

Temperature: Both members

  • \(\theta=550\,^\circ C\)

Output

  • Design resistance in tension FRd = 48 kN
Benchmark example for the welded lap joint 

Fig. 8: Benchmark example for the welded lap joint 

Sample files

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