Abstract
In this paper, geometrical and numerical modelling for tubular K-joints has been presented. Stress concentration factors (SCFs) along the weld of the joint have been obtained from an experiment on a K-joint specimen subjected to in-plane bending (IPB) load. Experimental results showed that numerical analysis by using the above models is accurate enough. Therefore, this numerical modelling technique can be safely and accurately used to analyze SCF of K-joints. Based on this, about 1,000 numerical models have been analyzed for K-joints under IPB in a special range. Equations to predict SCF of K-joints under IPB thus have been proposed by using curve fitting from numerical analysis results. The equations were validated by comparing with other equations. The comparisons show the proposed SCF equations are accurate enough and thus it is possible to apply these equations in practice conveniently and safely.