Overview
ISO 14346:2013 - Static design procedure for welded hollow‑section joints - provides recommendations and a unified design procedure for welded uniplanar and multiplanar joints in lattice structures made from circular (CHS), square (SHS) and rectangular (RHS) hollow sections under static loading. The standard covers Y-, X- and K‑joints (and their multiplanar equivalents), gusset‑plate to CHS/RHS joints, open‑section to CHS/RHS joints and combinations of hollow and open sections.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and terminology: Definitions for joint types (uniplanar, multiplanar), failure modes (chord face failure, punching shear, side‑wall failure), and symbols used in calculation.
- Joint classification: Rules to classify CHS, SHS and RHS joints by geometry and loading to select appropriate design models.
- Limit states design: Guidance on limit‑state checks, partial safety factors and how to combine actions for static loading.
- Design procedures: Methods to obtain design member forces, assess design resistance, and apply design criteria for axial and bending actions in braces and chords.
- Failure modes and checks: Identification and treatment of common joint failures - local yielding, chord punching shear, chord face plasticity and instability of side walls.
- Design resistance formulations: Prescriptive approaches for axial and moment resistance for a wide range of joint configurations (uniplanar and multiplanar; brace to CHS/RHS/SHS; gusset plates; I/H section chords).
- Material and fabrication guidance: References to steel grades and welding considerations; annexes include quality requirements for hollow sections, recommended weld details and partial safety factor guidance.
Applications
ISO 14346 is intended for the static design and assessment of lattice‑type steel frameworks where hollow‑section members are joined by welding. Typical uses include:
- Structural design and detailing of lattice trusses and frames using CHS/RHS/SHS members
- Engineering checks for welded brace‑to‑chord connections (Y, X, K joints)
- Fabrication and inspection criteria for welded hollow‑section joints in buildings, towers and similar frameworks
Who should use this standard
- Structural and design engineers responsible for steel lattice structures
- Welding engineers and fabricators working with hollow sections
- Inspectors, code drafters and researchers needing standardized joint design procedures
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 14346, welded hollow‑section joints, CHS, RHS, SHS, static design, lattice structures, joint classification, design resistance, gusset plate.