Abstract
This thesis covered the subject of design optimization of tubular joints, with a focus on joints with loaded chord members. This type of loading can have an effect on the overall fatigue performance of the joints and by expansion the structures in which they are present. Chord loading was defined as a distributed circumferential vertical load at defined distance away from chord crown positions. Stress concentration factors where determined using parametric equations from DNV-RP-C203. For the tubular joints with loaded chord members, focus was mainly on finding stress concentration factors on the different areas of the joint intersection. i.e. the crown and saddle positions of the chord. Fatigue life estimation was also used to determine fatigue life of one type of joints using EC3.