scope:

This paper reports the results of a series of experiments performed on welded connections between steel tubes. The exploration, the second in a four-phase program being conducted at the University of Texas, was directed toward determining the disixibution and magnitudes of local stresses occurring in such joints when the joined members are subjected to axial loadings. Impetus for the research was provided by the petroleum industry which utilizes tubular members in many structures especially offshore drilling towers and platforms.