Experimental and Numerical Study on Complex Multi-planar Welded Tubular Joints in Umbrella-Type Space Trusses with Long Overhangs

A test rig with multi-functional purposes was specifically designed and manufactured to study the behavior of multi-planar welded tubular joints subjected to multi-planar concurrent axial loading. An experimental investigation was conducted on full-scale welded tubular joints with each consisting of one chord and eight braces under monotonic loading conditions. Two pairs or four representative specimens (two specimens for each joint type) were tested, in which each pair was reinforced with two kinds of different internal stiffeners at the intersections between the chords using welded rectangular hollow steel sections (RHSSs) and the braces using rolled circular hollow steel sections (CHSSs) and welded RHSSs. The effects of different internal stiffeners at the chord–brace intersection on the load capacity of joints under concurrent multi-planar axial compression/tension are discussed. The test results of joint strengths, failure modes, and load–stress curves are presented. Finite element analyses were performed to verify the experimental results. The study results show that the two different joint types with the internal stiffeners at the chord–brace intersection under axial compression/tension significantly increase the corresponding ultimate strength to far exceed the usual design strength. The load carrying capacity of welded tubular joints decreases with a higher degree of the manufacturing imperfection in individual braces at the tubular joints. Furthermore, the interaction effect of the concurrent axial loading applied at the welded tubular joint on member stress is apparent.