New initial stiffness equation for the bearing component of bolted thin-walled steel plates

Abstract

In this paper, a numerical and analytical study was carried out in order to develop a new initial stiffness equation for thin-walled steel plate in bearing component. In this regard, effects of different design variables and curling occurrence on initial stiffness of this component were investigated. A set of parametric studies was performed on experimentally validated finite element models restraining curling occurrence to investigate the effect of geometrical parameters on initial stiffness of thin-walled steel plates. These design parameters included plate thickness, end distance, and edge distance and number of bolts. Effect of curling occurrence on initial stiffness was also considered using an analytical study. Finally, a new initial stiffness equation was proposed and compared with Eurocode3 design standard equation of hot-rolled steel plates. This new equation can be used in component-based modeling to calculate initial stiffness of thin-walled steel plate in bearing component. The outputs obtained by new equation showed better agreement with validated finite element results than those of old equation.