Experimental studies of the load bearing capacity and stiffness of joint of aluminum temporary structures

MINIATURA 5

Funding Organization: National Science Centre

Project title: Experimental studies of the load bearing capacity and stiffness of joint of aluminum temporary structures

Agreement number: DEC-2021/05/X/ST8/00936

Project implementation period: 02.12.2021 - 01.12.2022

Principal Investigator: dr inż. Michał Pieńko

Project value: 48.730,00 PLN

Funds granted for Lublin University of Technology: 48.730,00 PLN

Abstract:  The conducted research is closely related to the discipline of civil engineering and transport as they are a source of information on the joints of aluminum temporary structures used in various areas of civil engineering. The main objective of the research activity below is to analyze the behavior of an aluminum joint under the influence of various forms of loading. The joint will be loaded separately with: normal force, shear force in the horizontal and vertical plane, torsion moment and bending moment in the horizontal and vertical plane. For each form of load, the tests will be performed on 5 samples. The connection in the analyzed temporary structure is achieved by driving a wedge into the hole of the rosette welded to the vertical pipe. As a result of the tests, force-displacement relationships will be obtained, taking into account the parameter of the wedge insertion depth, on the basis of which the permissible load values and the stiffness of the node will be determined. The forms of failure obtained as a result of individual actions will allow the identification of the critical areas of the node as well as provide information on the effects of the heat affected zone. This issue is particularly important in the case of aluminum elements, the strength properties of which deteriorate significantly. Additionally, as part of the scientific activity, tests of the strength properties of the materials of individual components of joint: pipes, wedges, rosettes and ledger end will be carried out. Each of the listed elements may have different strength properties. Material samples of individual elements will be cut directly from the joints and strain gauges will be glued to them. The conducted research will be a source of basic information enabling the safe design of aluminum temporary structures. The identification of the weakest elements of the joint can be used to optimize the adopted solutions or propose a new solution. The results of the analysis of the impact of the depth insertion of the wedge, and thus the correctness of the obtained joint, can be used for quality control carried out in real structures.