Truss girder joint with a large diameter mechanical fastener

Abstract

A joint with a large diameter fastener for connecting large span truss girder nodes is presented in the paper. The joint strength and slip modulus were analysed by means of experimental testing and the finite element method. The experimental testing was conducted on four truss girders with the proposed joint. The nonlinear truss girder model analysis, was conducted using the Abaqus/CAE software with the UMAT subroutine. The results obtained and analysed according to EN 21512, show that the proposed joint has a large strength and slip modulus, and that it can be used for large-span truss girders. The results also show that the equation for embedding compression strength according to EC5 should be modified.