EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF COMPLEX MULTIPLANAR TUBULAR JOINTS

This paper presents tests on four typical multiplanar joints used in the truss roof of a three-story structure. Among them, three are welded tubular joints, one is cast-steel joint. Loads are applied to the joints through a substructure test facility. The development of the internal force of the braces, the strain distribution of the hot spots, the displacements and the failure mode were observed from the tests. The mechanical behavior of the joints was assessed. The results show that the ultimate capacity of these joints is high enough to satisfy the strength requirement. The comparison of the load-carrying capacity between the welded and cast-steel joints shows that the cast-steel joint has a better mechanical behavior given the strength of the connecting welds of the cast-steel joint with adjacent members is sufficient.