Experiments on factors affecting the strength of bolted space truss members

Space truss members and their connections under tension and compression loading have been tested at the Istanbul University's Civil Engineering Department. The tests revealed three main rupture mechanisms by which tension members reach the ultimate load carrying capacity: rupture of the high strength bolts, due to the transverse pin holes in their shanks; yielding of the member around the galvanizing or/and bolt hole in the tube; and rupture of welds at the conical part. For compression members, the three main factors affecting the ultimate load carrying capacity are: buckling; bearing rupture of the nut; and weld failure. It is noted that the proportioning of the space truss members and their analysis are related to a great number of factors.