A tubular truss is a lattice structure composed of circular tubular members connected at the ends by welding or bolting. It is a type of spatial grid structure, primarily used in large-span public buildings such as stadiums, convention centers, high-speed rail platforms, and industrial plants.
This structure uses steel tubing as its main material, with the member cross-sections evenly distributed around the neutral axis. It possesses strong compressive, bending, and torsional resistance and can be designed in various forms, including simply supported trusses, arches, or frames. Compared to traditional space frame structures, it omits lower chord longitudinal members and spherical nodes, increasing material utilization by approximately 20%-30%. Compared to open-section H-shaped steel trusses, it eliminates the need for additional gusset plates, offering advantages in both structural simplicity and aesthetic appeal. The application of cold-formed thin-walled steel tubing further reduces self-weight, and precision machining of member welding joints is achieved through intersecting line cutting technology.
The standard design process for tubular trusses includes both static and seismic calculations, employs finite element analysis of spatial trusses, and controls parameters such as span ratio (1/12-1/16) and deflection limit (1/250 of the span). Typical engineering examples include the 85-meter span roof structure of the Guangdong Gymnasium and the 29.9-meter span steel truss of the banquet hall in Nanning.