LASTTS

LASer cutting Technology for Tubular Structures

The previous LASTEICON project showed that joint configurations fabricated using laser cutting technology (LCT) were superior in terms of resistance and stiffness from the tubular joint options obtained by conventional manufacturing techniques. Some topics, however, needed further studies such as experimental performance of the joints related to the low cycle fatigue, experimental fire performance, more challenging architectural geometries, rectangular hollow sections, vertical splicing of columns, capacity under compression, frame corner nodes, local behaviour around the welded joints, further automatization and robotization as well as minimization of welding in the joints.
In the LASTTS project, tubular structures will be designed using LCT joints with different configurations, their key components will be tested, and parametric analyses will be performed at local and global levels. With this large database of research, design guidelines and worked examples will be produced and disseminated for a major market penetration of innovative steel tubular applications into the EU construction sector.