MATHCAD AND OTHER APPLICATIONS

Using SolidWorks for Truss Connector Analysis

Calculate the force and pressure on a connection joint, based on the
dimensions of the joint for a chosen material, under particular size
trusses and weld lengths. First, define a set of constants for the
calculation.
Constants
Connection yeild strength F
y
50ksi := based on material
R
w
9 := R
y
1.1 := E 29000ksi :=
P
w
250kip := P
ult
3
8
R
w
P
w
:= P
ult
843.75kip =
W 3in := F
yb
46ksi :=
Connector dimensions
Diameter of the base: d
b
3.75in := r
minb
d
b
2
:=
Diameter of the riser: d
r
1.9in :=
Height of the riser: z 3.5in := Area
b

r
minb
2
|

\
|
|
.
2
:=
Calculations
Calculate the force on the joint:
KLr
12ft
r
minb
:=
C
c
2
2
E
F
yb
:=
F
conn
R
y
1.7 Area
b
1
KLr
2
2C
c
2

\
|
|
|
.

(
(
(

F
yb
5
3
3KLr
8C
c

KLr
3
8C
c
3

\
|
|
|
.
+

(
(
(
(
(

KLr C
c
< if
R
y
1.7 Area
b

2

E
23KLr
2

otherwise
:=
F
conn
96.191kip =
Calculate the pressure on the joint:
p
a
F
conn
Wd
r

:= p
a
16.876ksi =
Calculate the allowable pressure before buckling:
C
c
2
2
E
F
y
:= KLr
1.2 40in ( ) 12
d
r
:= KLr C
c
< 1 =
P
a
1
KLr
2
2C
c
2

\
|
|
|
.

(
(
(

F
y
5
3
3KLr
8C
c

KLr
3
8C
c
3

\
|
|
|
.
+
KLr C
c
< if
12
2

E
23KLr
2

otherwise
:=
P
a
17.468ksi =
check if P
a
p
a
> "Buckling within limits" , "Buckling NG" ,
( )
:=
check "Buckling within limits" =