Design of welded connections in aluminium structures

In the past decades a number of studies have been carried out to enlarge the knowledge on the structural behaviour of aluminium alloys. This research effort has resulted in up-dated design rules in national codes, but most importantly a draft European code "Eurocode 9: Design of Aluminium Structures" has been edited in 1998 (the final version will be edited in 2006), which contains the most up-to-date design rules for aluminium structures [1]. The paper will deal with the design of connections in aluminium structural applications and in particular with the design of welded connections. The motive to select this subject is twofold. At first, welding is the most important joining method for structural applications in aluminium. And secondly, welding aluminium differs from welding steel, while bolted connections in steel and aluminium are quite similar. So, attention will be given to specific aspects of welded connections which differ from steel. At last, the paper will survey the most important design rules of welded connections in aluminium structures according to the final version of Eurocode 9