Numerical analysis on semi-rigid pin joint for modular assembled steel reticulated shell

In this article, a new type of semi-rigid pin joint was proposed. High-strength bolts were not selected as connectors, which avoided the complicated procedures as well as achieved high efficient assembly. The assembly procedure of the joint is simple, and the new joint can adapt to the complex curvature changes of the reticulated shell. Arranged in the middle of the shell members, the novel joint can not only achieve the modular assembly of the reticulated shell but also reduce the number of assembled joints. First, a finite element model of the semi-rigid pin joint was established by ABAQUS, and several parameters of the joint were analyzed. Besides, the axial tensile and compressive properties of semi-rigid pin joints were studied, and the influence law of each parameter on the mechanical properties of the new joint was obtained. The results showed that the semi-rigid pin joint inherits the good axial bearing performance of the traditional pin joint.