Performance analysis and comparison study of two aluminum alloy joint systems under out-of-plane and in-plane loading. An experimental and numerical investigation

The static behavior of the traditional aluminum alloy Temcor (AAT) joint system and a new aluminum alloy hollow prism-plate (AHP) joint system is studied experimentally. The bending moment-rotation curves and failure modes for the two joint systems under out-of-plane bending (M_x) and in-plane bending (M_y) are obtained. The test results indicate that the bending stiffness and carrying capacity of the new hollow prism-plate (AHP) joint is superior to that of the traditional Temcor (AAT) joint. The refined finite element model (FEM) of the two kind of aluminum alloy joint systems are established based on a large-scale finite element analysis software. The simulation results are verified by comparing with the experimental results. Finally, to investigate the mechanical behavior and force transfer mechanism of the new hollow prism-plate (AHP) joint system, the parametric analysis is carried out to obtain the moment-rotation (force-displacement) curves and failure modes of the joint system under different loading conditions, including axial compression force, axial tension force, bending with compression force, and bending with tension force.