In the Joints V. Flat trusses with hollow structural sections module, three new types of joints are designed: Bolted splice connection with two CHS elements, Bolted splice connection with two RHS elements, Knee KT joint.
The design of these joints has been implemented for all the available codes in the Joints V module taking into account the design criteria of CIDECT (Comité International pour le Développement et l’Etude de la Construction Tubulaire).
For the program to design truss splice connections, the joints must be analysed using the option Resolve all nodes with bolted connections with the choice of ordinary or prestressed bolts. Using this option, welded connections of the truss will be designed as welded.
- Bolted splice connection of two CHS. This consists of a bolted splice connection of two circular hollow sections using a front plate. They must be aligned and have the same external diameter. The program provides stiffeners around the plates if required, depending on the acting forces and the dimensions of the elements. It also trims the plates automatically transforming them into a circular flange depending on the dimensions of the elements to join.
- Bolted splice connection of two RHS. This consists of a bolted splice connection of two rectangular hollow sections (or square hollow sections or two rolled channels welded together in a box with a continuous chord). They must be aligned, be of the same type and have the same external dimensions. For this splice connection, only two bolt columns are provided along the two longest sides of the elements to join. No stiffeners are provided in any case, but the front plates are trimmed concentrically and automatically with respect to the dimensions of the elements to join.
- Knee KT joint. Joint at the end of a truss chord of 3 elements in KT arrangement. As occurs with the other joints designed by the Joints V module, the different structural hollow sections (circular hollow sections, rectangular hollow sections, square hollow sections and two rolled channels welded together in a box with a continuous chord) can be combined at the same node with the following conditions:
- If the chord of the truss consists of a rectangular hollow section, square hollow section or two channels welded together in a box; the sections of the diagonal and vertical members can be combined at the node with any of the sections implemented in the program (circular hollow sections, rectangular hollow sections, square hollow sections and two rolled channels welded together in a box with a continuous chord).
- If the chord of the truss consists of a circular hollow section, the diagonals and vertical members of the truss must also be circular hollow sections.
