Numerical and Experimental Research of the Design Method of Plate-Insert Welded Tubular Joint

Abstract

This paper puts forward a new kind of joint called plate-insert welded tubular joint that is used in long-span prestressed spatial structures. It is composed of one inserted plate, one major member, and several minor members. The plate is inserted through a major member, and the minor members intersect the major member. The static performance of cooperative work between the inserted plate, major member, and minor members are studied by numerical analysis using ABAQUS and Ansys, from which the elastic ultimate bearing capacity of the joint are obtained. The multigroup of geometric parameters are set to establish a number of finite-element models for parametric analysis to obtain the effect rule of different inserted-plate length parameters on bearing capacity. Then a new design method of the joint is put forward on the basis of the analysis. From the joint design example of the second stage of the Tianjin Binhai International Exhibition, the reliability of the method is verified using a combination of numerical and experimental studies.