Novel pin-jointed connection for cold-formed steel trusses

Cold-formed steel trusses are a popular form of construction for light-weight buildings, particularly portal frame structures for which spans up to 25 m are increasingly common. A novel pin-jointed truss connector named the Howick Rivet Connector (HRC) has been tested, firstly in a T-joint arrangement, then in a truss assemblage to determine its reliable strength and stiffness. Results show that the HRC performs similarly to a bolted connection in heavy steel in terms of failure modes observed, loads reached and proportionality limit. Finite element models of both T-joints and trusses tested show good agreement with experimental results, particularly in the transition from elastic to inelastic behaviour.