Experimental study on T-stubs connected by thread-fixed one-side bolts under cyclic load

Abstract

Experimental studies on behavior of T-stubs connected using thread-fixed one-side bolts (TFOSBs) under monotonic and cyclic loads were presented. Three failure modes, which were the complete flange yielding failure, the bolt failure, and the flange yielding accompanied by hole thread failure, were observed in both tests. Effects of the cyclic load on the behavior of T-stubs were discussed from aspects of the deformation, the load transfer mechanism, the stiffness degradation and the tension yield strength. Compared to the monotonic tests, the cyclic load caused stiffness degradation and made threads on the bolt hole wall become more vulnerable to fail. In addition, comparisons showed that available design methods applied to predict the behavior of T-stubs under monotonic load also were applicable to predict that under cyclic load.