Effect of geometrical parameters of aluminum-to-steel bolted connections

Abstract

Through experimental and numerical studies, this research work aims to provide directions on the optimal geometric configuration for single-lap and double-lap bolted connection between aluminum alloy 6061-T6 and steel. From experimental test results, the effects of different geometric parameters on the joint strength were discussed. These parameters include the end-distance, the side-distance, the pitch-distance, the plate thickness and the joint eccentricity. Then, the experimental results were compared to predicted results using design references and geometric recommendations proposed by design references were critically examined. The experimental study was complemented by finite element (FE) analysis to extend the study to a larger range of parameters. In addition to the analysis of the geometric parameters listed above, the effects of the gage-distance on the joint strength were studied in the FE analysis. The experimental and finite element results show that a careful selection of geometric parameters can result in the high improvement of the connection strength and failure mode. Limiting the side-distance to the minimum recommended value was found to limit the strength of a connection with two bolts in a column to that of the one-bolt connection. In most cases, bearing was found to govern the strength of the connections. The calculated bearing strengths were found to underestimate significantly the connection strength. Based on these analyses, maximum geometric parameters beyond which there is no further increase of the joint capacity were evaluated and optimum geometric parameters were proposed.