Experimental study on mechanical properties of pin-trunnion connection nodes of temporary steel brackets for elevated bridges

Currently, the pin connection test exists mainly for unidirectional force loading, while the pin connection of a temporary steel bracket applied to elevated bridges is for bi-directional force. The damage mechanism of the pin connection with bi-directional force is not yet fully understood in research. The effect of the loading direction, single-hole plate end distance and unilateral width ratio a/b, ear plate thickness ratio t1/2 t2, and ear plate shape on the mechanical properties of the pin connection need to be considered. In this study, destructive static loading tests were conducted on eight groups of double-hole pin connections, and the damage mode, bearing capacity, deformation, and strain of the pin connections were determined. The results show that the thickness of the trunnion plate primarily controls the damage mode of the pinned connection and the ratio is smaller for single-trunnion plate damage, which can achieve larger bearing capacity and deformation. The ratio of the end distance of the monocore plate to the width of the single side primarily controls the damage location of the monocore plate, and the ratio varies from large to small, gradually causing tensile damage to the side section, end cleavage damage, and end shear damage. The loading direction has a minor effect on the mechanical properties of the pin connection; however, the tensile deformation is significantly larger than the compressive deformation. By chamfering, the M shape is properly adjusted to optimize the shape of the double trunnion plate, which does not reduce the load-carrying capacity and deformation of the pin connection and can reduce the amount of steel used by 10 %. A comparative analysis of the change in the ear-plate shape before and after the open ear-plate test, determination of the cross-sectional damage location and effective calculation distance b1, and improvement and derivation of a practical method for calculating the load-carrying capacity for engineering are performed, at the same time, it can be applied to projects of different spans, which can greatly improve construction efficiency and reduce labor costs.