Aluminum design code

[Bammer25]

This is new to me. Doing a simple analysis. What do they refer to as the area of the weld affected zone? I understand that members are affected by welding, but how do you calculate this? I see no instruction in the code. I am dealing with simple flexure and shear check of a plate supported by intermittent tubes.

 

[Bammer25]

follow up question: does this only apply to "welded" members as in not wrought/cast? or does it also apply in my case where I have tubes stiffening a plate?

I finally see a definition that weld affected zone extends 1 inch on either side of the weld. This would make a big difference how the member is positioned. tension on bottom, compression on top. Awzt = 0 if the weld is positioned on top

 

[Ron]

This applies to welded members. As noted in your second post, the weld affected zone is one inch in any direction from a weld of any type.

The reason for this is that most of the weldable aluminum alloys gain strength through aging, strain hardening during extrusion and the cool-down cycle after extrusion. When the section is then welded after its properties are set, the welding changes the metallurgy and strength of the section in a localized fashion. This results in an uncontrolled effect on the strength properties of the aluminum and the allowable stresses are reduced to allow for this.

 

[Bammer25]

thanks a lot for your help. I guess I was on the wrong track thinking welded as in welded girders in carbon steel

 

[IFRs]

The Aluminum Design Manual is your friend, from The Aluminum Association in Washington CD USA

 

[Aesur]

Just a thought, could you not theoretically re-temper the member/connection to gain full strength? They do this all the time for when bending members as the bending process can change the strength as well. If I recall correctly 6063-T6 which is mostly used for canopies and architectural finishes when bent changes to T5 but can be re-tempered back to T6 if needed.