Efficient method to include joint zones of chord members in finite element model of tubular transmission tower at linear elastic stage

To include the effects of the joint zones efficiently, firstly a chord member considering the joint zones is seen as a combination of three beams with different sections and its element stiffness matrix is derived; Secondly, based on the statistically geometrical properties of the joint zones and chord members in service, the coefficients in the element stiffness matrix of the varied section beam element related to the moments and shear forces greatly increase more than 70%, while the coefficients related to axial forces only increase less than 2%. Therefore, along with the other two inherent mechanical properties of member structures, it is essential to include the effects of the joint zones. Finally, the results by the finite element models where the chord members and the joint zones are simulated by four methods are compared, which proves the efficiency and the accuracy of the varied section beam element.