Comparison of Steel Tube Trusses and Space Frame Structures

Steel tube trusses are truss systems formed by connecting steel tubes through nodes. The members mainly bear axial forces and can be flexibly constructed into planar structures such as triangles and trapezoids, suitable for unidirectional force scenarios such as bridges and industrial plants. The intersection line node design simplifies the connection and has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, especially suitable for circular arch and curved shapes.

Space frames are spatial structures with multiple members connected in a grid pattern. They have three-dimensional collaborative force characteristics, high rigidity, and good seismic resistance, and are often used in large-span buildings such as stadiums and airports. Their nodes need to connect multi-directional members, making the structure more complex, but they can achieve flexible shapes such as hyperbolic and spherical surfaces.