Abstract
A new type of steel connection was proposed, which is named the cone-to-cylinder socket conneciton. A conical shell is plugged into the open end of a cylinder, and the open mouth of the cone is covered by a lid plate. This new connection is expected to be applied to heads of steel pipe piles, bases of pipe struts, supports of pipe trusses, and pipe-to-pipe connections. Experiment on load carrying capacity demonstrated that the socket connections provide satisfactory strength and rigidity under compression. However, it is recommended that the cone should be welded to the lid plate to prevent out-of-plane deformation of the cone edge. Strengthening of the cylinder edge by installing a ring or by welding to the cone wall was found very effective.
