The optimum composite joint design is the one capable of distributing stresses over a wide area rather than to concentrate them at a point. Adhesively bonded joints can satisfy these requirements, however, most of the adhesives are brittle, and brittle failure is unavoidable. This was the motivation of developing what is called the SNAP joint. Also, this technique is very similar to techniques which were used a decade or so again for plastic. Installation of structure members become faster.
Installation needs smaller number of labor and equipment.
Since it use composite materials, its weight is less than traditional structures. The 1999 CERF Charles Pankow Award for Innovative Applications was granted to the developers for this innovative composite transmission tower. According to the developers, the estimated cost of this structure is about 20 million dollars including machinery cost. The project was submitted as a part of the Federal Highway T-21 program. More details discussion on this emerging joining technique as well other similar techniques will be presented in the separate Chapter in the ASCE Connection Design Manual which I am writing, and which is expected to be published by the Middle of year 2000.