Loading Capacity and Rotational Performance of Radial Spherical Plain Bearing Joints

Abstract:

The performance of radial spherical plain bearing joints is investigated in this paper， based on the engineering background of steel roof renovation of Shanghai Stadium. First， tests on bearing capacity and rotational performance of the joint were performed under vertical compressive force. Both the ultimate bearing capacity and the strain intensity development feature were grasped. A method for calculating rotational friction coefficient and its value of the joint were proposed. Next， finite element numerical analysis was conducted using ABAQUS to further study the damage mode and mechanical behavior of the joint. It is found that the radial spherical plain bearing joint has good load carrying capacity and rotation performance under compressive condition， and achieves the function of fully hinged space node of steel structures.