Experimental research on ultimate bearing capacity of N-joints of grouted square steel tube trusses

Cave-in failure is apt to occur in joints of trusses made of square hollow sections. In order to turn the failure mode into a strength failure mode of joint members, the idea is proposed that the chord of the truss is grouted to increase the cave-in beating capacity of a hollow tube chord. An experiment of eight specimens of N- joints made of grout-filled square steel tubes is performed. Based on the experimental study, the geometrical parameters of specimens are analyzed, and the effects of the confinement index ε, the spacing between the two web members g and the ratio of side length of the vertical web member to that of the chord β on the behavior of specimens are investigated through simulation analysis by simulation analyses, the mechanical properties and the failure an ANSYS program. Based on the test results and modes of this kind of joints are analyzed and the formulae to predict the ultimate bearing capacities corresponding to different failure modes are developed. The ultimate bearing capacity of compressive N-joints is calculated in accordance with the cave-in failure mode of a chord member; the ultimate bearing capacity of tension N-joints is calculated in accordance with the punchingshear failure mode; the ultimate bearing capacity of a chord member is calculated in accordance with the shear failure mode in normal sections.

Experimental research on mechanical properties of prestressed truss concrete composite beam encased with circular steel tube

Tests of 4 simply supported unbonded prestressed truss concrete composite beams encased with circular steel tube were carried out. It is found that the ratio of the stress increment of the unbonded tendon to that of the tensile steel tube is 0.252 during the using stage,and the average crack space of beams depends on the ratio of the sum of the bottom chord steel tube's outside diameter and the secondary bottom chord steel tube's section area to the effective tensile concrete area. The coefficient of uneven crack distribution is 1.68 and the formula for the calculation of crack width is established. Test results indicate that the ultimate stress increment of unbonded tendon in the beams decreases in linearity with the increase of the composite reinforcement index β0. The pure bending region of beams accords with the plane section assumption from loading to failure. The calculation formula of ultimate stress increment of the unbonded tendon and the method to calculate the bearing capacity of normal section of beams have been presented. Besides,the method to calculate the stiffness of this sort of beams is brought forward as well.

Double-composite rectangular truss bridge and its joint analysis

This paper describes a novel composite tubular truss bridge with concrete slab and concrete-filled rectangular chords. With concrete slab plus truss system and joints rein- forced with concrete and Perfobond Leiste rib, double composite truss bridge proved to be a fairly suitable solution in negative moment area. Perfobond Leiste shear connector （PBL） is widely implemented in the composite structure for its outstanding fatigue resistance. In this pilot bridge, Perfobond Leister ribs （PBR） were installed in the truss girder＇s joints, which played double roles as shear connector and stiffener. An erection method and overall bridge structural analysis were then presented. Typical joints in the pilot bridge were selected to analyze the effect of PBR. Investigation of the effect of PBR in concrete- filled tubular joints was elaborated. Comparison has revealed that concrete-filled tubular joints with PBR have much higher constraint capability than joints without PBR. For rect- angular tubular truss, the punching shear force of the concrete filled joint with PBR is approximately 43% larger than that of the joint without PBR. Fatigue performance of the joint installed with PBR was improved, which was found through analysis of the stress concentration factor of joint. The PBR installed in the joints mitigated the stress concen- tration factor in the chord face. Therefore, the advantages of this new type of bridge are demonstrated, including the convenience of construction using rectangular truss, inno- vative concept of structural design and better global and local performances.