High-strength mechanical joints under combined mechanical and medial loads

Abstract

This paper introduces a test method for joined hot-dip galvanized steelwork test specimens. The specimens joined by means of a lock bolt system were subjected to a simultaneously combined mechanical and medial loading. This was achieved by combining a vibration testing machine and a condensation chamber that was expanded by an electrolyte dosing unit. The electrolyte was dosed on one side of the specimen in the area around the lock bolt head. The zinc dissolution is locally accelerated in the area around the joining element possibly due to superimposed bimetal and crevice corrosion. In addition, the electrolyte enters the space between the joined steel sheets and initiates corrosion processes there, too. Besides the expected zinc ions, potassium ions were also detected in the collected electrolyte by means of elemental analysis. These are originally part of the friction-increasing coating.