The Department of Construction Technology at Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering has developed a technology for constructing the connections between load-bearing elements in steel-frame buildings. The research was conducted by Mkrtich Tonakanyan, a senior lecturer at the department.
The study proposes a "pocket-type" connection technology for joining a steel column to a roof truss. The development aims to improve assembly processes during the construction of low-rise steel-frame buildings and to reduce the labor intensity of connecting the load-bearing structures.
In the construction of such buildings, the assembly of prefabricated components is a key technological process; the quality of the work, the construction schedule, and the cost depend on the chosen assembly methods, joint configurations, and the equipment used for rigging, measurement, and alignment. Therefore, a crucial task is to develop solutions that ensure assembly precision and the compliance of the erected structures with the requirements of current regulatory standards.
The study analyzed existing technologies for connecting steel columns to roof trusses. Based on this analysis, a "pocket-type" connection method was developed to optimize the labor intensity of construction and assembly operations while ensuring the required levels of reliability and quality.
Mkrtich Tonakanyan
The advantages of the proposed solution were experimentally verified. In addition, a set of tooling was developed for the installation of the steel truss using the new technology, and the technical regulations and process chart for its practical implementation were prepared.
The scientific novelty of the work lies in the determination of technological parameters influencing the assembly process during the connection of primary load-bearing steel structural elements. Additionally, a methodology and algorithm for calculating assembly manufacturability have been proposed, based on indicators derived from the study. The effectiveness of a "pocket-type" connection—which enables a reduction in labor requirements during the assembly of this joint—has been substantiated both theoretically and experimentally.
The results of this work can be applied by organizations involved in developing technical specifications and process charts for the fabrication and erection of steel-framed building structures. The research findings may also be utilized in the educational process at SPbGASU for training construction specialists and serve as a basis for further research in the field of construction technology.
The research project "Technology for Constructing a 'Pocket-Type' Connection between a Steel Column and a Roof Truss" was carried out as part of the 2026 grant competition for research projects conducted by the academic and research staff of SPbGASU.
