Design resistance of end plate splices with hollow sections

This paper presents a design approach for calculating rectangular hollow section (RHS) splices (bolted end plate connections) under tension forces or bending moments in accordance with EN 1993-1-8. Based on models available in the literature, a Eurocode-conform model is presented using the component method. The original model, based on experimental and numerical investigations, uses a three-dimensional yield line method to predict the tension resistance of bolted splices with hollow sections considering the joint as a whole. The adapted model is fully compatible with EN 1993-1-8. Moreover, the original model has been extended to predict also the design moment resistance of such RHS splices.