Equivalent material properties of the heat-affected zone in welded cold-formed rectangular hollow section connections

A welded connection consists of three main material zones, the base (BM), heat-affect zone (HAZ), and weld metal (WM). The strength HAZ depends on BM grade manufacturing process, electrode grade, welding parameters. Under certain conditions, has lowest strength, especially for high-strength steel. Therefore, a semi-empirical methodology is proposed to establish constitutive model necessary predicting fracture position connections. This based an engineering approach consider as isotropic homogeneous material, with no consideration different volumetric fractions microstructures within HAZ. equivalent properties in butt-welded hollow section connections were investigated experimentally numerically. Hardness tests microstructure investigations conducted determine boundaries variations width stress–strain relationship was established calibrated tensile coupon finite element analyses. Using relationship, effect transverse constraint imposed by adjacent stronger (BM WM) evaluated Finally, new Swift used propose characteristics function mechanical specific procedure considered project.