'Hot spot' stresses of K tubular joints subjected to combined loadings

Abstract

An approach has been proposed to verify, and modify if necessary, the conventional method for determining the peak 'hot spot' stresses of various configurations of tubular joints subjected to combined loadings. A typical K tubular joint, which was subjected to various loading conditions, was employed to illustrate the proposed approach. It is found that the accuracy of the peak 'hot spot' stresses estimated by the conventional method for combined loadings are closely related to the types of loading condition involved. This is due to the possible change in peak stress locations and directions when various basic load types are combined. The peak 'hot spot' stresses of some combined loadings are significantly over estimated by the conventional method and, thus, can be reduced in order to provide accurate data for fatigue analysis. © 1993.