Research Progress on the Static Behavior of Tubular Intersecting Joints
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63313/AERpc.9085Keywords:
Tubular Steel Structures, Intersecting Joints, Static Behavior, Bearing Capacity, Finite Element AnalysisAbstract
Tubular intersecting joints are key force-transferring components in tubular steel structures, and their static behavior directly affects the load-carrying capacity, deformation capacity, and overall structural safety. With the extensive application of tubular steel structures in long-span spatial structures, bridge engineering, transportation hubs, and industrial plants, research on the static behavior of tubular intersecting joints has continued to develop. Based on previous studies, this paper systematically reviews the existing research on static testing, finite element analysis, bearing-capacity and stiffness calculation methods, as well as strengthening measures for tubular intersecting joints. The results indicate that abundant achievements have been made in the study of joint failure modes, bearing-capacity laws, local stiffness, and spatial effects, and that these studies have provided important support for code revision and engineering design. However, considerable differences still exist among different joint types, loading conditions, and parameter ranges, and a unified design method for complex spatial joints and newly strengthened joints remains lacking. The review presented in this paper can provide a useful reference for future research and engineering applications of tubular intersecting joints.
References
[1] Kanatani, H., Washio, K., and Kurobane, Y. Experimental study on local deformation of tubular joints. Transactions of the Architectural Institute of Japan. Tokyo: Architectural Institute of Japan, 1961: 8-14. (in Japanese)
[2] Washio, K., Togo, T., and Mitsui, Y. Experimental study on chord tubes of tubular truss joints. Transactions of the Architectural Institute of Japan. Tokyo: Architectural Institute of Japan, 1967: 20-27. (in Japanese)
[3] Akiyama N, Yajima M, Akiyama H, et al. Experimental study on strength of joints in steel tubular structures. Journal of Society of Steel Construction, 1974, 10(102):37-68
[4] Gibstein M B. The static strength of T-joints subjected to in-plane bending. Det Norske Veritas Report, 1976: 76-137
[5] Yura J A, Zettlemoyer N, Edwards I F. Ultimate capacity of circular tubular joints. Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, 1981, 107(10): 1965-1983
[6] Makino Y. Experimental study on ultimate capacity and deformation for tubular joints [Doctoral dissertation of Osaka University]. Osaka: Osaka University, 1984
[7] Kurobane Y, Makino Y, and Ochi K. Ultimate resistance of unstiffened tubular joints. Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, 1984, 110(2): 385-400
[8] Paul J C, Makino Y, Kurobane Y. Ultimate resistance of unstiffened multiplanar tubular TT- and KK- joints. Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, 1994, 120 (10):2853-2870
[9] Kurobane Y, Makino Y, Ochi K. Ultimate resistance of unstiffened tubular joints. Journal of Structure Engineering, 1984,110(2): 385-400
[10] Chen, Y. Y., Shen, Z. Y., Zhan, C., et al. Triple yield-line model and experimental verification of directly welded tubular joints. China Civil Engineering Journal, 1999, 32(6): 26-31.
[11] Chen, Y. Y., Wang, W., Zhao, X. Z., Jiang, X. Y., Bai, X., and Zhao, Z. Y. Experimental study on bending stiffness and bearing capacity of circular tubular intersecting joints. Journal of Building Structures, 2001(6): 25-30.
[12] Shu, X. W., and Zhu, Q. K. Finite element analysis of ultimate bearing capacity of spatial KK tubular intersecting joints. Journal of South China University of Technology (Natural Science Edition), 2002(10): 102-106.
[13] Zhu, Q. K., and Shu, X. W. Finite element analysis of ultimate bearing capacity of planar K tubular intersecting joints. Journal of South China University of Technology (Natural Science Edition), 2002(12): 62-66.
[14] Shu, X. P., Zhu, S. N., Xia, X. H., and Yang, X. Full-scale experimental study on circular tubular intersecting joints in the steel roof of Helong Stadium, Changsha. Journal of Building Structures, 2004(3): 8-13, 37.
[15] Wang, W., and Chen, Y. Y. Semi-rigid behavior and calculation formula of circular tubular intersecting joints. Industrial Construction, 2005(11): 5-9.
[16] Zhao, P. F., Zhao, Z. X., Qian, J. H., Zhao, J. D., Ma, H. R., Cheng, Z. H., Fu, X. Y., and Gu, L. Experimental study on rectangular tubular intersecting joints under combined loading. Journal of Building Structures, 2005(6): 71-78, 85.
[17] Zhao, P. F., Qian, J. H., Zhao, J. D., Ma, H. R., Cheng, Z. H., Fu, X. Y., and Gu, L. Bearing capacity of rectangular tubular intersecting joints under combined loading. Journal of Building Structures, 2005(6): 64-70.
[18] Zhao, P. F., Qian, J. H., Zhao, J. D., Ma, H. R., Cheng, Z. H., Fu, X. Y., and Gu, L. Bearing capacity of rectangular tubular intersecting joints under uniaxial loading. Journal of Building Structures, 2005(6): 54-63.
[19] Zhao, B. D., Chen, X. F., Shi, X., Shentu, Q. Y., and Chen, G. F. Study on in-plane bending stiffness of X-type rectangular tubular intersecting joints. Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology (Natural Science Edition), 2015, 47(2): 210-216.
[20] Zhao, B. D., Liu, C. Q., Zhang, S. Y., and Zhang, J. S. Calculation model for axial stiffness of Y-type circular tubular intersecting joints. Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, 2015, 50(5): 872-878.
[21] Zhao, B. D., Zhao, D. S., Shentu, Q. Y., Chen, X. F., and Zhang, J. S. Out-of-plane bending stiffness of planar X-type rectangular tubular intersecting joints. Journal of Building Structures, 2016, 37(S1): 399-405.
[22] Li, C., Zhang, D. C., and Li, B. H. Experimental and theoretical study on in-plane bending bearing capacity of circular tubular T-joints. Building Structure, 2017, 47(2): 23-27.
[23] Liu, Y. Z., Yuan, B., and Song, Z. D. Ultimate bearing capacity of stiffened T-shaped square tubular intersecting joints under out-of-plane bending. Progress in Steel Building Structures, 2017, 19(4): 43-52.
[24] Gao, C. Y., Yang, W. P., and Li, B. Numerical simulation of mechanical behavior of concrete-filled circular tubular K-type welded intersecting joints. Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology (Natural Science Edition), 2018, 50(1): 18-22.
[25] Gao, C. Y., Wang, J. L., and Guo, D. W. Study on bearing-capacity calculation model of concrete-filled circular tubular K-joints. Progress in Steel Building Structures, 2021, 23(4): 20-24, 31.
[26] Rao, T., Du, X. X., Yuan, H. X., Leng, Z. W., and Cao, H. P. Mechanical behavior of equal-width KX rectangular tubular intersecting joints. Progress in Steel Building Structures, 2022, 24(2): 79-87.
[27] Guo, J., Du, X. X., Yuan, H. X., Cheng, X. Y., Yin, P. F., and Yuan, L. M. Mechanical behavior of spatial circular tubular intersecting joints strengthened with internal transverse inserted plates. Progress in Steel Building Structures, 2020, 22(4): 50-56, 109.
[28] Sui, W. N., Zhang, X. L., and Li, G. C. Finite element analysis of bending bearing capacity of T-type circular tubular intersecting joints strengthened with cover plates. Journal of Shenyang Jianzhu University (Natural Science), 2012, 28(2): 269-274.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 by author(s) and Erytis Publishing Limited.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
