Abstract
This paper presents a finite element analysis on the tensile stiffness of steel bolted connections which are fabricated from thin-walled cold-formed steel strips and their members. This type of bolted connection is usually used to assemble the diagonal bracing member in the light steel structure. Unlike the architectural steel structure, thin walled steel bolted connection cannot be simplified into a hinge joint due to the weak tensile stiffness of connection. The calculation of tensile stiffness of bolted connection is necessary to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of bracing system in the coldformed steel structure. Based on the existing test results and analysis results, finite element (FE) models with threedimensional solid elements were established to investigate the tensile stiffness of bolted connections between cold-formed steel plates under shear. The analysis with non-linear material and contact elements was carried out in order to predict the load-displacement relationships of bolted connections. Furthermore, a parametric study on single-bolted or two-bolted connections with different configurations was performed to study the relationship of connection tensile stiffness and structural parameters such as bolt diameter, plate thickness and steel yield strength. According to the stiffness results obtained from parametric study, six calculating equations for practical design of cold-formed steel bolted connection have been proposed. The calculation results of the stiffness equations are in a good correlation with those of FE analysis, and the proposed equations have been found to provide estimates of tensile stiffness of bolted connections with reasonable accuracy.
Highlights
Cold-formed steel sections are found in various civil constructions, ranging from purlins and girts, to steel framings and pillars
The load-displacement curves for stainless steel bolted connections in references [8, 11] are available and chosen to validate the reliability of finite element models which are established in the paper
By considering different material properties of steel, the finite element method which is compared with existing research data of stainless steel bolted connection can estimate the static performance of normal steel bolted connection with reasonable accuracy, especially for calculating the tensile stiffness of connections
Summary
Cold-formed steel sections are found in various civil constructions, ranging from purlins and girts, to steel framings and pillars. The advantages of using cold-formed steel sections are derived from their low cost together with high yield strength and good versatility. Hot-rolled steel sections are commonly used as major force-bearing components while cold-formed steel sections are used as subordinate components to support light wall board and interior decoration element. In some commercial structure system, all the structure members are made of cold-formed steel profiles. For the simple and convenient assembly, some cold-formed profiles are assembled together by steel bolts. (1) shows two types of bolted connections in storage pallet rack systems which are an important structure mode of cold-formed sections Fig. (1) shows two types of bolted connections in storage pallet rack systems which are an important structure mode of cold-formed sections
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