STATIC STRENGTH OF DOUBLE-SKIN GROUTED X-JOINT INFILLED WITH HIGH STRENGTH GROUT

WAH YI FENG

Publication

STATIC STRENGTH OF DOUBLE-SKIN GROUTED X-JOINT INFILLED WITH HIGH STRENGTH GROUT

WAH YI FENG

Abstract

In recent years, with the reassessment, strengthening and repair of existing old offshore structures forming an important part of offshore engineering, much attention has been given to the methods for strengthening of tubular joints. Although strengthening by grouting has been considered to be efficient and cost effective, a general lack of sufficient guidance in codes and technical literature means the beneficial effects of grouting cannot readily be taken advantage of. This research effort tries to extend the understanding of static strength of grouted tubular joints; specifically the double-skin grouted X-joints under brace axial loading. Thirteen double-skin grouted X-joints have undergone ultimate static strength testing at National University of Singapore Civil Engineering Structural Laboratory: 8 under brace axial tension and 5 under brace axial compression. Key characteristics in joint behavior and failure modes, identified from experimental observations and the accompanying numerical finite element models, have enabled the development of semi-empirical analytical formulations for both brace tension and compression.