Common problems with steel support connection nodes

In the process of steel support construction, the connecting nodes are the key parts of the support system, bearing the mechanical transmission of the entire structure. The quality of connecting nodes directly affects the stability and safety of steel supports. Common problems with steel support connection nodes can often lead to instability or failure of the support system, and even cause Enron accidents. The following are several common problems and analysis of steel support connection nodes:

1. Loose connection parts

Problem description:

The connecting components of steel supports (such as fasteners, bolts, clamps, etc.) may become unstable due to improper installation or long-term use, affecting the overall load-bearing capacity of the support system

Reason:

Improper construction: During installation, the fasteners or bolts were not tightened according to the design requirements, resulting in looseness

Material issue: The quality of the connectors is not up to standard, and the strength of materials such as bolts and fasteners does not meet the standard, which can easily cause loosening during use

Lack of regular inspections: Failure to regularly check connection points resulted in failure to detect and address loosening issues in a timely manner

Solution:

Confirm that qualified materials are used for each connection during installation, and use tools such as torque wrenches to verify the tightening force of bolts

Perform routine checks on all connection points to confirm that all connectors are securely fastened and not loose

Use high-strength and anti loosening connectors, add locking devices or take anti loosening measures

2. Uneven connection surface or poor contact

Problem description:

The uneven contact surface of the connecting part may result in poor contact between the steel support component and the connecting piece, and the uniform transmission of influence may cause local instability

Reason:

Poor welding or cutting quality: The welding or cutting of the connecting nodes is uneven, resulting in defects on the contact surface

Material defects: Scratches, unevenness, and other defects exist on the surface of the connecting components, which affect the connection effect

Improper installation: The contact surface was not cleaned and treated during the installation process, resulting in uneven contact

Solution:

During the construction process, ensure that the connection surface is smooth and even, and pay attention to the process requirements when welding or cutting

Clean and treat the connection surface, remove impurities such as oil and rust, and confirm good contact

Use shims or cushioning materials at critical nodes to confirm good contact surfaces

3. Cracks or deformations appear at the connection nodes

Problem description:

At the connection nodes of steel supports, cracks or local deformations may occur due to excessive stress or poor material, affecting the stability of the support system

Reason:

Material fatigue: After being subjected to loads for a long time, steel may experience fatigue failure, leading to the appearance of cracks

Local overload: Uneven or excessive force at the connection nodes may cause local damage, especially in situations where the load-bearing points are dense

Construction defects: Poor welding quality or excessive concentration may lead to stress concentration at nodes, making it easy for cracks to occur

Solution:

Select high-quality and standard steel for construction, and confirm that the material has sufficient strength and toughness

Reasonably distribute the force on the connecting nodes to avoid local overload

Adopting reasonable welding techniques and strengthening node design to avoid stress concentration, reinforcement treatment should be carried out when necessary

4. Insufficient node bearing capacity

Problem description:

The connection nodes of steel supports have insufficient bearing capacity, resulting in deformation, tilting, or instability of the support system during construction

Reason:

Unreasonable design: The steel support design did not fully consider the bearing capacity of the connecting nodes, and may have overlooked the load calculation of the support points

Unqualified materials: The connecting components (such as bolts and fasteners) have insufficient strength and cannot withstand the designed load

Construction is not standardized: During the construction process, the connection nodes were not arranged and reinforced according to the design requirements, resulting in insufficient bearing capacity

Solution:

In the design phase, calculate the load of the connecting nodes reasonably and confirm that the nodes can withstand the load during construction

Use high-strength connectors for steel support connection nodes and confirm that all connectors meet the design requirements

During the construction process, ensure that each connecting node is constructed according to the standard and strengthen the support at the node

5. Node corrosion and rusting

Problem description:

The connection nodes of steel supports may corrode or rust due to environmental humidity, chemical substances, and other factors during long-term use, affecting the connection performance

Reason:

Environmental factors: There may be moisture, corrosive gases or chemicals present on the construction site, which can cause corrosion on the surface of steel

Inadequate protective measures: No anti-corrosion treatment or protective measures were taken (based on actual reports), and the steel support connection parts were directly exposed to harsh environments

Long term lack of inspection: During the construction process, the status of steel supports was not regularly checked, neglecting the risk of corrosion

Solution:

Before construction, all steel should be treated with anti-corrosion measures (based on actual reports), especially when working in humid or corrosive environments, and materials with strong corrosiveness should be selected

Regularly inspect and maintain the steel support system, promptly identify and address corrosion issues

Add anti-corrosion coatings (based on actual reports) or use corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel (based on actual reports) at the connection nodes

6. Inaccurate node position

Problem description:

The inaccurate position of the connection nodes of the steel support leads to the inability of the support system to transmit loads according to the design requirements, which affects the support effect

Reason:

Construction measurement error: During the installation process, measurement errors can cause node positions to shift, affecting the overall effectiveness of the support

Design error: There is an error in the position of the connection nodes on the design drawings, which leads to inaccurate positioning during construction

Solution:

During the construction process, use measuring tools and instruments with appropriate precision to confirm the accuracy of the support node positions

In the design phase, detailed node layout is carried out to confirm that the support system can allocate loads reasonably

7. Lack of elasticity in node connections

Problem description:

The connection nodes of steel supports lack elasticity or flexibility, which makes it difficult to adapt to small changes in the structure during construction, and can easily lead to damage or instability

Reason:

Excessive material rigidity: The connecting nodes are made of materials that are too rigid and lack definite elasticity or buffering capacity

Unreasonable design: The design did not take into account the small deformations and vibrations during the construction process, resulting in excessively rigid connection nodes

Solution:

When designing nodes, consider elastic factors and introduce buffer materials or elastic connectors appropriately to accommodate small deformations

Choose connecting materials with definite elasticity or toughness to improve the adaptability of the nodes