Behavior of tubular steel trusses with cropped webs

The consecutive testing to failure of four test joints in each of two identical 7.3 m span × 1.8 m deep tubular steel trusses with cropped webs is described. The behavior of each of the test joints is discussed and compared to that of similar joints previously tested as isolated specimens. Following large chord-face deformations and bending of the webs in the truss plane, failure occurs by out-of-plane buckling of the compression web at those test joints with slender webs, or by yielding and tearing of the tension web at those with stocky webs. Stiffnesses are in close agreement for corresponding truss and isolated joints. Strengths of the truss joints are from 0–23% lower than those of the isolated joint specimens. Joint deformation contributes less than 5% to truss deflection.