joint connections in rectangular steel square tube trusses 1

[gregnordholm]

I am looking for English, AISC, etc. references to assist in design check of connections between large square tube main cords of a truss made of rectangular steel tube and the lacing tubes.

The problem is that the square tube main cords are 16 x 16 x 5/8 with 6 x 6 x 3/8 tube diagonals and perpendiculars.

By first principals I cannot make the connections figure but the European who designed it says he has a reference that indicates the connections are fine. I calculate big overloads in panels of main cords attached to lacing from loads perpendicular to the primary axis of the main cord.

Thanks for any assistance

 

[trainguy]

Try Design of Hollow Structural Section Connections by Packer and Henderson (Can. Institute of Steel Construction)

Then, you'll realize that there's no way that the connection you propose can work. Ask the European designer to provide you with connection calcs, as well as the combined effect of local connection stresses and global truss stresses.

First rule of engineering:

If it looks bad at first glance, it probably IS bad.

tg

 

[gregnordholm]

Thanks for this info. You have quoted my own major rule of thumb--if it looks bad, or feels bad, it probably is.

 

[gregnordholm]

I got the reference mentioned from CISC and found them very helpful and prompt. Its a great reference.

Also AISC has a free down load "LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR DESIGN SPECIFICATION FOR STEEL HOLLOW STRUCTURAL SECTIONS"