A twin shear beam model for double chord RHS joints

A finite element elasto-plastic analysis of a twin shear beam model, developed to shed light on the behavior of separated double chord gap joints of rectangular hollow sections (RHS), is presented. The model treats a single beam member as composed of a plate simulating its inner web and a channel representing top and bottom flanges and the outer web. The twelve degrees of freedom (DOF) nonconforming plate bending element and the eight DOF plane stress elements are used to form a plate element for the inner web, while the channel consists of a grillage of beam elements. The analysis, extended beyond the elastic limit, accounts for strain hardening and material nonlinearity. A comparison of theoretical predictions with the experimental results of 24 specimens shows generally good agreement. The mean ratios of theoretical to experimental values are 0.97 and 0.87 for elastic stiffness and carrying capacity measured at a post elastic deformation limit.