Abstract
The authors propose a new concept of space truss system with using an arc plate
for its connection detail. The detail is aimed to have stable performance that would
not be controlled significantly by welders’ qualities, for an important part of the
structure. This report is focused on the development of the W-truss System through
some experimental studies of its connection.
1. Introduction
For any steel pipe truss construction in building & construction applications, special consideration is necessary for engineering and construction of steel pipe joints because the component members are closed sections. In a spatial truss construction where steel pipe joints are branched, that is, where steel pipes are joined at a solid angle of incidence, the incidence of angle, the pipe diameter and the pipe thickness work as parameters to influence on the over all strength of the joints. Design strength values of steel pipe branch joints, established on the results of many parametric experiment, are published in the steel pipe structural design and construction manual1)and have been widely used in practice.
On the other hand, there is a type of system truss structure comprising various spherical joints, known as a structural subsystem2) intended for utilizing the flexibility of space truss structures. The advantages of constructing a space structure by using it include, firstly, the capability of dividing a 3D structure into many component units at many nodes and designing and producing many unit members in
same ways. Secondly, an excellent reproducibility in performance and quality of such component members for any frame geometry because the component member production processes will naturally be mechanized and equipped with data processing capabilities. However, if applied to a frame of simple geometry, the joint structural
mechanism may have the disadvantages of being too redundant and expensive. If the truss system should be easily used in no awareness of its characteristics, the system mechanism will only be redundant, unable to exhibit its potent superiority.
