Increasing load capacity of steel space trusses with end-flattened connections

Steel space trusses are generally made of tubular section members. There are several types of links to connect these members. The most popular is the end-flattened connection. The advantages of such connections are reduced costs and fast assemblage of the truss. However, they present disadvantages such as eccentricities and stiffness reduction of members. In this work, based on computer simulations and nine experimental lab tests on space truss prototypes, small changes on the end-flattened connections such as reinforcement and eccentricity correction are evaluated. The results show a 68% increase for local collapse and a 17% increase for global collapse in the truss load carrying capacity. Global and local collapses are, respectively, associated with the ultimate limit state and serviceability limit state.