Abstract: The ultimate strength of a steel tubular joint with an annular ribbed plate is researched by experimentation and a analytical parametric study was conducted to investigate the joint of tube-gusset plate connections by the finite element method. Based on the result of the experimentation and finite element method as well as virtual work principle, a limit analysis model for determining the ultimate loads of an annular ribbed joint is established and the proposal formula is put forward, which is applied to the engineering design and the ultimate strength was compared with that obtained by the experimentation, finite element method and analysis model. The result shows that the analysis model and proposal formula have practical significance.