Abstract
The buckling behaviour of space trusses is investigated by model tests. The trusses are regular octahedral and beam-like space structures. The models are composed of the tubular members, ball joints and connecting bolts. Elastic buckling loads for them are estimated by using the slope-deflection method, where the influence of the instability caused by axial forces is considered. In this method, it is assumed that the member consists of a uniform middle part, rotational springs and infinitely rigid end regions. Main conclusions are as follows. The elastic buckling loads for the space trusses can be estimated by the presented analytical method. Because the theoretical analyses furnished a close correlation with experimental values. And the variation of the buckling loads corresponding to that of the rotational restraints at the joints is fairly small. It is experimentally shown that the buckling loads and the post-buckling behaviour of space trusses as a whole vary according to the effects initial deflections and slenderness ratios of members.
