Design and verification of a testing interface for axial and bending loading of the structural T joints

Abstract

The plane welded T joints validation is made by axial and in-plane bending loading, both of them requiring dedicated test rigs. The article presents the development of a device consisting in an interface that allows both types of loadings, on a common testing machine. The numerical calculations of stresses and displacements are presented. The behavior of the testing interface within the experimental testing program is assessed, together with design recommendations and conclusions.