Thanks for the sketch and the ideas CEL. I'll consider that my Xmas present.
I'm afraid that it is you who has misconstrued my purpose. I'm not trying to improve accuracy, shave down weld sizes, or advocate an alternative design method. Not at all. What I am attempting to do is to
understand the theoretical basis for Blodgett's method and any simplifications that he may have taken. This is now the sixth time in this thread that I've described my goal as developing understanding. Not refinement. Not replacement. Understanding.
Based on this thread, it has become clear that
none of us understands the theoretical basis of Blodgett`s shear stress simplification. So how is it that we`re fit to use it? Or to adapt it to other circumstances? And how do we
know that it's conservative? I'm not looking to replace or refine Blodgett's method. I'm seeking to
understand Blodgett's method. Surely that is a worthy goal and something that 'matters' to any engineer who cares to actually know their craft.
The M/Sx form of Blodgett's equation suggests that we're sticking to the elastic domain. Given that, and ignoring all olf the messy stuff like residual weld stresses, restraint etc, it seems to me that determining the analytically "correct" stress distribution is relatively straight forward. It's just VQ/It. See the sketch below which is also attached as a PDF file.
It is instructive to note that, for short tubes where bending stresses do not dominate, the predicted maximum shear stress of P/A would be out by a factor of about two.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.