Probabilistic Characteristics of Moment Capacity and Rotational Stiffness of Wedge Joints Used in Support Systems Reflecting Reused Members

Abstract

The moment capacity and rotational stiffness of wedge joints, which connect vertical and horizontal members of assembled support systems, were evaluated experimentally considering the characteristics of reused members. Since temporary structures, such as supports, tend to be reused, experiments were conducted with reused members, and the normality of the measured data was assessed. The lower and upper limits of the 95% confidence intervals of the moment capacity and rotational stiffness of wedge joints with reused members were determined. Experiments were also conducted on a joint system with new members to analyze the influence of reused members. In integrating both new and reused members, the maximum moments of wedge joints were observed to be normally distributed. The lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of the maximum moment of joints was 0.997 kNm, and the upper limit was 1.074 kNm. The rotational stiffness of the wedge joint was evaluated using a trilinear model. The initial rotational stiffness decreased with continued use of the joint. The average rotational stiffness of the joint, analyzed by combining the results for new and reused members, was found to be 22.475 kNm/rad for the first interval, 4.705 kNm/rad for the second interval, and 1.577 kNm/rad for the third interval. The lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of the initial rotational stiffness was 20.688 kNm/rad, and the upper limit was 24.262 kNm/rad.