Optimal location of a single through-bolt for efficient strengthening of CHS K-joints

Strengthening of hollow structural sections using through-bolts is a cost-effective and straightforward approach. It's a versatile method that can be applied during both design and service phases, serving as a non-disruptive and budget-friendly retrofitting solution. Existing research on axially loaded hollow sections T-joints has demonstrated that this technique can amplify the joint strength by 50%, where single bolt could enhance the strength of the joint by 35%. However, there's a gap in understanding their use for K-joints. As the behavior of K-joints is more complex, and they are widely existent in structures, this study aims to bridge that gap by conducting comprehensive parametric study using finite element analysis. Numerical investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of through bolts on K-joints focusing on using single through bolt to achieve most of the strengthening effect. A full-scale parametric model was developed to investigate the effect of various geometric parameters of the joint. This study concluded the existence of optimal bolt location to achieve the highest strength gain for the joint. Moreover, a rigorous statistical analysis was conducted on the data to propose design equations to predict optimal bolt location and the corresponding strength gain implementing the verified by finite element models.