Stability bearing capacity of equal-leg angle steel columns with end connection joints

Abstract

This study investigated the stability bearing capacity of Q355 equal-leg angle steel columns with end connection joints for transmission towers and proposed a new design method for stable bearing capacity. A total of 39 structural tests were conducted considering the connection joints. The test results, including the failure modes and load-response histories, were reported. The numerical simulations were conducted and validated using multiple comparisons. An extensive parametric study based on a calibrated finite-element model was conducted to investigate several influential parameters. The critical elastic buckling load of a three-span continuous beam with rigid or elastic supports was derived, and the relationship between the effective length coefficients and the support stiffness was obtained. Based on the experimental and numerical simulation results, a stable bearing capacity design method applicable to equal-leg angle steel columns with end connection joints was proposed. It is shown that the proposed design method improves the consistency and reliability of the prediction of the ultimate strength.