THE ANALYSIS OF SPLICE JOINT BEHAVIOUR IN HEAVILY LOADED TENSILE CHORDS OF WARREN TRUSSES

This current study deals with the analysis of heavily loaded splice joint behavior in tensile chord of Warren trusses. Th theory of statically indeterminate beam on elastic supports has been applied for the modelling of end-plate behaviour. To gain deeper insight into the mutual behaviour of splice joint elements of tensile chord, some issues are discussed in this current paper: 1) suggestions for modelling of splice joint in tensile chord considering additional stresses induced by bending moment; 2) drawing up the methodology for analysis and numerical examples of end-plate joint design considering elastically deformed tensioned bolts and stiffness on end-plate, 3) determination of more unfavourable values of internal forces in elements depending on truss topology and the design model selected, underlining the link between stiffness properties of a structure and bending moment values expected. A design model is presented for end-plate connection acceptable for analysis by using the common software (MS Excel, MathCAD) for engineering calculations. The end-plate is modelled as a continuous beam on discrete elastically deformed supports (representing tying bolts), and loaded by concentrated forces transferred by flanges and the web of I section correspondingly. It has been concluded that the design models leading to disregarding some portion of stresses or strains in the comparison with real structural behaviour, may be assessed as simplified and insufficient for the design of bearing structures, and always a thorough analysis of stress-strain relationships developing as uppermost when overloading becomes real. Therefore it is necessary to increase the requirements for risk assessment of public building structures, and particularly trade buildings/ shopping centres concerning the recent bad experiences of the past year's accidents.