As　a　typical　grid　structure　joint,　bolted　spherical　joints　are　widely　used　in　various　engineering.　However,　as　the　key　component　of　the　bolted　spherical　joint,　the　conical　head　has　not　formed　a　unified　specification　and　standard　in　China.　At　the　same　time,　the　mechanical　properties　and　failure　mode　of　the　conical　head　are　not　clear.　Therefore,　this　paper　has　carried　out　axial　tension　tests　on　18　specimens　with　6　kinds　of　conical　heads.　Combined　with　finite　element　analysis,　the　mechanical　properties,　failure　mode,　bearing　capacity,　and　the　factors　affecting　the　bearing　capacity　of　the　conical　head　under　axial　tension　were　studied.　The　calculation　formula　of　the　bearing　capacity　of　the　conical　head　was　proposed.　The　results　show　that　the　conical　head　is　in　a　complex　stress　state　of　bending,　shear　and　compression　at　the　same　time,　and　the　failure　mode　of　the　conical　head　is　the　shear　failure　of　the　bottom　plate.　The　thickness　of　the　bottom　plate　of　the　conical　head　and　the　bolt　specification　will　affect　the　bearing　capacity　of　the　conical　head.　The　conical　head＇s　bearing　capacity　decreases　with　decreasing　bottom　plate　thickness　and　bolt　specification.　However,　the　thickness　of　the　bottom　plate　and　the　bolt　specification　will　not　affect　the　failure　mode　of　the　conical　head.　©　2024　Institution　of　Structural　Engineers