SCF distribution in FRP-strengthened tubular T-joints under brace axial loading

The present article is dedicated to study of the effects of different parameters of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP), as strengthening material, on a tubular T-joint subjected to brace axial loading using finite element analyses. The effectiveness of FRP materials on enhancing the fatigue life of tubular T-joints was investigated through computing the ratio of the stress concentration factors (SCFs). FRP parameters which is considered include fiber orientation, FRP thickness, effective wrapping length and FRP material properties. The FRP materials were modeled and applied onto a basic numerical FE model which was validated in the past against well-known experimental results on weld-toe SCFs. Promising results were derived from the analyses showing that the FRP strengthening method can effectively decrease the SCF values for tubular T-joints.