Design resistance of longitudinal gusset-tube K-joints with 1/4 annular plates in transmission towers. (November 2019) - Li, Fang
Abstract: In this paper, the design resistance of longitudinal gusset-tube K-joints stiffened with 1/4 annular plates was studied. Full-scale experiments of the K-joints were carried out. The branch loads of the K-joints were equivalent to a vertical shear force ( P v ) and a bending moment ( M w ). Substantial parametric studies revealed that annular plates had little impact on the ultimate shear force capacity ( P v, u ). Nevertheless, they could significantly improve the ultimate moment capacity ( M w, u ) and restrain the chord wall deformation. Moreover, the ultimate moment capacity of K-joints reinforced with annular plates was about 1.3–2.3 times that of K-joints without annular plates. The minimum construction dimensions for annular plates were set to R / d 0 = 0.25 and t r / t 0 = 0.75 . Highlights: Design resistance and failure modes of K-joints with annular plates were investigated. Full-scale experiments of K-joints were achieved. Ultimate strength equations for K-joints were proposed. Difference and relationship between K-joints with and without annular plates were compared.