Bolted connection - Splices in shear

Description

This study is focused on the verification of component-based finite element method (CBFEM) for the resistance of the symmetrical double splice bolted connection to an analytical model (AM).

Analytical model

The bolt resistance in shear and the plate resistance in bearing are designed according to Tab. 3.4 in chapter 3.6.1 in EN 1993-1-8:2005. For long connection, reduction factor according to cl. 3.8 is considered. Design resistance of connected members with reductions for fastener holes is taken into account according to cl 3.10.

$$\textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{ Drawing 5.2.1 Joint geometry and dimensions}}}$$

Verification of resistance

Design resistances calculated by CBFEM were compared with results of analytical model (AM). Results are summarised in Tab. 5.2.1. The parameters are bolt material, splice thickness, bolt diameter, and bolt distances, see Figs. 5.2.1 to 5.2.4.

$$\textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Fig. 5.2.1 Sensitivity study for the bolt material}}}$$

$$\textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Fig. 5.2.2 Sensitivity study for the splice thickness}}}$$

Tab. 5.2.1 Sensitivity study of resistance

Joint description: splice 150/10mm, bolts 2×M20 in distances p =70, e₁=50, plates 2×150/6mm, steel S235

Joint description: splice height 200mm, bolts 3×M16 8,8 in distances p = 55mm e₁ = 40mm, plates 2×200/t mm, steel S235

Joint description: splice 120/10mm, bolts 2×MX 8,8, plates 2×120/10 mm, steel S235

Joint description: Splice 200/6 mm, bolts 3×M16 8,8, plates 2×200/6mm, steel S235

$$\textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Fig. 5.2.3 Sensitivity study for the bolt diameter}}}$$

$$\textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Fig. 5.2.4 Sensitivity study for the distance of bolts}}}$$

The results of sensitivity studies are summarized in the graph in Fig. 5.2.5. The results show that the differences between the two calculation methods are below 5 %. The analytical model gives generally higher resistance.

$$\textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Fig. 5.2.5 Verification of CBFEM to AM for the symmetrical double splice connection}}}$$

Benchmark example

Inputs

Connected member

• Steel S235
• Splice 200/10 mm

Connectors

Bolts

• 3 × M16 8.8
• Distances e₁ = 40 mm, p = 55 mm

2 x splice

• Steel S235
• Plate 380×200×10

Outputs

• Design resistance F_Rd = 258 kN
• Critical is bearing of the connected splice

$$\textsf{\textit{\footnotesize{Fig. 5.2.6 Benchmark example of the bolted splices in shear}}}$$