Finite Element Investigation on Ultimate Strength of Bolted Connections

Abstract

In this paper, the ultimate behaviour of bolted connections and the effect of various configurations of bolted connections on the ultimate strength are thoroughly investigated. Through finite element modelling, the stress distributions, bolt load distributions, and the effect of bolt sizes and bolt arrangements are studied in detail. The finite element analysis results show that the square shape arrangement of a bolted connection has a higher ultimate strength than that of the diamond shape arrangement. The ultimate strength of bolted connection increases as the bolts size increase until a limitation of improvement in strength is reached.