Finite Element Analysis on Mechanic Behavior of Joints between Elevated Columns and Truss Columns in Substation Frame

Finite element analysis have been carried out in order to study the mechanical properties of the joints between elevated columns and truss column in substation frame. Firstly, the numerical results and the experimental ones were compared to verify the efficiency of the FEM model. Then, the whole process of elastic-plastic analysis was carried out to the prototype structure. The results show that when the bottom of the elevated column was yielding, the stress of the stiffeners at the joint is small, which can meet the design principle of “strong joint - weak member” criterion. Furthermore, when the structure enters into the elastic-plastic stage, the stress in the upper stiffeners at the horizontal load direction is large and most of them yield, but the stress in the plane gusset plate of the joint is still small.