In view of the characteristics of many spatially intersecting members

significant differences in member dimensions

and complex load conditions at the connection joint of bottom cross-arm and main members in the385 m-high Yangtze River long-span transmission tower

cast steel joints were proposed to be applied.Joint selection and design were carried out

steel material

joint type

joint dimensions and connection of branch tubes were selected.In order to verify the safety and rationality of the design

two 1:2 scaled joint models were designed

the bearing capacity test and finite element analysis were performed.The results showed that

under different test conditions

the strain varied basically linearly with the load

the whole joint was in an elastic state.The finite element analysis results were in good agreement with the test results.The joint stresses obtained from the finite element analysis were all less than converted stresses.The joint design was safe and reasonable.