Welded connections at high‐strength steel hollow section joints

The calculation of the loadbearing capacity of hollow section joints using the design formulas according to EN 1993‐1‐8 assumes full‐strength welded connections if the non‐linear stress distribution over the circumference is not covered by calculation. Sufficient ductility in the connections ensures a plastic redistribution capacity within each joint. In the case of hollow section structures made of high‐strength steels, it becomes more difficult to meet the requirement for full‐strength welds as the yield strength of the base material increases.