Este trabalho apresenta uma investigação de modelos analíticos de previsão da força de tração resistente para ligações parafusadas em chapas finas e perfis de aço formados a frio, de acordo com quatro especificações de projeto (ABNT NBR 14762:2010, ANSI AISI S100:2007-S, AS/NZS 4600:2005 e EUROCODE 3 Parte1.3:2010). O estudo envolveu 404 resultados experimentais de ligações parafusadas, sendo: 232 ligações em chapas finas, 104 ligações em cantoneiras e 68 ligações em perfis U, em que diversas configurações geométricas foram analisadas. No total 1616 análises de força resistente foram realizadas de modo que estatísticas da variável aleatória erro de modelo pudessem ser construídas. Dessa forma, a análise de erro de modelo consistiu da plotagem das probabilidades do erro de modelo, para que em seguida testes de aderência pudessem ser então aplicados de modo satisfatório, validando funções teóricas de distribuição de probabilidades para a representação da informação estatística dessa variável aleatória. Uma análise de regressão foi utilizada nas ligações parafusadas para descrever a variação do erro de modelo com a espessura da chapa e para descrever a incerteza de modelo. As análises realizadas mostraram que os modelos brasileiros e americanos conseguem prever, em média, a ruptura da seção líquida de maneira mais eficiente do que as outras especificações, pois utilizam coeficientes de redução da área líquida, e também apontam que todos os modelos apresentam uma grande variabilidade dos resultados em torno da média, o que faz com que a confiabilidade dos modelos seja prejudicada. A análise de confiabilidade, utilizada para avaliar o nível de segurança das especificações de projeto, incluiu o erro de modelo e outros parâmetros aleatórios como a resistência à ruptura do aço, ação permanente (D) e variável (L), totalizando 7092 análises em ligações parafusadas, revelando que a contribuição da variável aleatória erro de modelo na segurança dessas ligações é considerável, especialmente para razões de carregamento (Ln/Dn) entre 0,50 e 2,50. Cabe ainda observar que as especificações de projeto foram avaliadas de acordo com critérios de confiabilidade uniforme e suficiente, demonstrando que a uniformidade é alcançada de maneira mais fácil para as quatro especificações, para razões de carregamento (Ln/Dn) maiores que 2,0, e que a suficiência de segurança, na maioria das análises realizadas, não foi alcançada, principalmente para o modo de ruína de esmagamento da parede do furo, em que os índices de confiabilidade para as ligações situaram-se em torno de 2,0 a 2,5, abaixo do valor alvo de 3,5 estabelecido pelo AISI e 3,8 estabelecido pelo EUROCODE. Além disso, ao se tratar da ruptura da seção líquida, os modelos brasileiro, americano e australiano também não atingiram níveis desejáveis de segurança, contudo, fornecem probabilidades de falha bem abaixo das obtidas para o modo de ruína de esmagamento. Por fim, análises de sensibilidade revelaram que os parâmetros x/L e d/g, presentes nos modelos analíticos de previsão da ruptura da seção líquida, para a especificação brasileira e americana, não interferem na segurança estrutural das ligações. / This work presents an investigation of analytical models for predicting the tensile strength to bolted connections in thin sheets and cold-formed steel members, according to four design specifications (ABNT NBR 14762:2010, ANSI AISI S100:2007-S, AS/NZS 4600:2005 and Eurocode 3 Parte1.3:2010). The study involved 404 experimental results of bolted connections, as follows: 232 connections in thin sheets, 104 connections in angles and 68 connections in channels, in which various geometric configurations were analyzed. A total of 1616 strength analysis were performed so that statistics of the random variable model error could be constructed. Thus, the model error analysis consists of plotting the probability of error model, then for the adherence tests could then be applied satisfactorily validating theoretical functions of probability distribution for the statistical representation of random variable. A regression was used in bolted connections to describe the variation of the model error with the thickness of the sheet and to describe the model uncertainty. The analysis showed that the models can predict Brazilians and Americans, on average, net section fracture more efficiently than the other specifications, for use of coefficient of reduction of net area, and also note that all models showed a great variability of results around the mean, which makes the reliability of the models is affected. The reliability analysis used to assess the safety level of design specifications, included the model error and other random parameters such as tensile strength of steel, dead (D) and live (L) loads, totaling 7092 analysis on bolted connections, revealing that the contribution the random variable model error in the security of these connections is considerable, especially for load ratios (Ln/Dn) between 0.50 and 2.50. It should also be noted that the design specifications were evaluated according to sufficient and uniform reliability criteria showing that uniformity is achieved more easily for the four specifications, for load ratios (Ln/Dn) higher than 2.0, and that the sufficiency of security, most of the analysis, is not achieved, especially for the failure modes of bearing of the hole, in which the reliability index for the connections are located around 2.0 to 2.5, below the target value of 3.5 indicated by AISI and 3.8 indicated by EUROCODE. Furthermore, when dealing with the net section fracture, the models Brazilian, American and Australian also did not reach desirable levels of security, however, provided failure probabilities well below those obtained for the failure modes of bearing. Finally, sensitivity analysis revealed that the parameters x/L and d/g, present in the analytical models for predicting the net section fracture, the specification for Brazilian and U.S., do not affect the structural safety of the connections.

Dans le dimensionnement des lanceurs spatiaux, la maîtrise de l'amortissement est une problématique majeure. Faute d'essais sur structure réelle très couteux avant la phase finale de qualification, la modélisation de l'amortissement peut conduire à un sur-dimensionnement de la structure alors que le but recherché est de diminuer le coût du lancement d'une fusée tout en garantissant le confort vibratoire de la charge utile.Nos contributions sont les suivantes. Premièrement, une méthode de prédiction par le calcul des niveaux vibratoires dans les structures de lanceurs en utilisant une stratégie d'essais virtuels qui permet de prédire les amortissements en basses fréquences, est proposée. Cette méthode est basée sur l'utilisation de méta-modèles construits à partir de plans d'expériences numériques à l'aide de modèles détaillés des liaisons. Ces méta-modèles peuvent être obtenus grâce à des calculs spécifiques utilisant une résolution 3D par éléments finis avec prise en compte du contact. En utilisant ces méta-modèles, l'amortissement modal dans un cycle de vibration peut être calculé comme étant le ratio entre l'énergie dissipée et l'énergie de déformation. L'approche utilisée donne une approximation précise et peu coûteuse de la solution. Le calcul non-linéaire global qui est inaccessible pour les structures complexes est rendu accessible en utilisant l'approche virtuelle basées sur les abaques.Deuxièmement, une validation des essais virtuels sur la structure du lanceur Ariane 5 a été élaborée en tenant compte des liaisons boulonnées entre les étages afin d'illustrer l'approche proposée. Lorsque la matrice d'amortissement généralisé n'est pas diagonale (car des dissipations localisées), ces méthodes modales ne permettent pas de calculer ou d'estimer les termes d'amortissement généralisé extra-diagonaux. La problématique posée est alors la quantification de l'erreur commise lorsque l'on néglige les termes extra-diagonaux dans le calcul des niveaux vibratoires ; avec un bon ratio précision / coût de calcul.Troisièmement, la validité de l'hypothèse de diagonalité de la matrice d'amortissement généralisée a été examinée et une méthode très peu coûteuse de quantification a posteriori de l'erreur d'estimation de l'amortissement modal par la méthodes des perturbations a été proposée.Finalement, la dernière contribution de cette thèse est la proposition d'un outil d'aide à la décision qui permet de quantifier l'impact des méconnaissances sur l'amortissement dans les liaisons sur le comportement global des lanceurs via l'utilisation de la méthode info-gap. / In the dimensioning of space launchers, controlling depreciation is a major problem. In the absence of very expensive real structural tests before the final qualification phase, damping modeling can lead to over-sizing of the structure while the aim is to reduce the cost of launching a rocket while guaranteeing the vibratory comfort of the payload.[...]

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo do comportamento estrutural das ligações metálicas parafusadas viga-pilar com chapa de topo estendida. Enfatiza-se a fundamentação teórica, abordando os principais conceitos, os métodos de dimensionamento apresentados em normas internacionais e os principais sistemas de classificação de ligações existentes. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma metodologia capaz de aprimorar a análise numérica de ligações, com relação aos estudos anteriores, obtendo resultados com melhor representatividade do comportamento real das ligações. Desenvolve-se análise numérica, via Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), com a elaboração de diversos modelos numéricos tridimensionais de ligações parafusadas com chapa de topo estendida. Utilizou-se na modelagem numérica o código de pré-processamento TrueGrid® e o código de análise numérica ANSYS®. Os modelos foram desenvolvidos e validados a partir de resultados experimentais. Na análise dos resultados foram comparados os resultados numéricos obtidos com resultados experimentais previamente conhecidos. Faz-se uma abordagem das propostas de dimensionamento apresentadas por normas internacionais em comparação com os resultados numéricos. Através da variação de parâmetros, como espessura da chapa e diâmetro dos parafusos, observam-se os modos de falha das ligações, e a plastificação da chapa de topo e dos parafusos. Por fim, apresenta-se a conclusão do trabalho e sugestões para pesquisas futuras. / This work presents a study about the structural behavior of extended end-plate bolted beam-to-column steel connections. Emphasizes the theoretical foundation, addressing the main concepts, the design methods presented in international standards and the main classification systems for connections existing. The objective of this work is to present a methodology capable of improving the numerical analysis of connections, in comparison with previous studies, getting results with better representation of the actual behavior of the connections. It develops numerical analysis via Finite Element Method (FEM) with the development of various numerical models of three-dimensional bolted end plate connections. It was used in numerical modeling the preprocessing code TrueGrid® and the numerical analysis code ANSYS®. The models were developed and validated from experimental results. In the analysis of the results were compared the numerical results obtained with experimental results previously known. It approaches the design proposals presented by international standards in comparison with the numerical results. By varying the parameters such as end-plate thickness and bolts diameter, it was observed failure modes of the connections, as well as yielding mechanism at the end-plate and bolts. Finally, it presents the conclusion of the work and suggestions for future researches.

Cette thèse porte sur l’étude du dévissage spontané d’assemblages vissés, sous sollicitations dynamiques transversales. Un travail expérimental et numérique a été réalisé pour caractériser ce phénomène, dans des conditions proches de celles des assemblages réels. Une expérimentation a permis de provoquer le dévissage d’un boulon, en soumettant l’assemblage à des vibrations transversales par rapport à l’axe de la vis. Les effets de la précharge, du traitement de surface et de la disposition des vis ont été explorés. Ces résultats ont été confrontés avec ceux obtenus par un modèle numérique détaillé utilisant la méthode des éléments finis. Cependant, en raison de la complexité de la géométrie et des difficultés de modélisation à l’échelle locale, le temps de calcul est très important et peut être prohibitif pour une étude industrielle. Afin de remédier à cette difficulté, des modèles simplifiés ont été développés, l’un avec une approche par éléments finis associés à un connecteur cinématique, et l’autre par modélisation unidimensionnelle. Ces modèles simplifiés reproduisent correctement le phénomène du dévissage spontané et confirment leur efficacité en gain de temps de calcul. / This thesis focuses on the study of the self-loosening of bolted joints under transverse dynamic loads. Experimental and numerical work was carried out in order to reveal this phenomenon under conditions close to those of actual assemblies. An experiment allowed the loosening of a bolt to be caused by subjecting the assembly to transverse vibration with respect to the axis of the screw. Effects of preload, surface treatment and disposal of the screws were explored. These results were compared with those obtained by a detailed numerical model using the finite element method. However, due to the complexity of the geometry and modeling challenges at the local level, the computation time was very long and may be prohibitive for an industrial study. To remedy this problem, two simplified models were developed, one with a finite element approach associated with a kinematic connector, and one by unidimensional modeling. These simplified models correctly reproduce the self-loosening phenomenon and confirm their efficiency in terms of computation time.

La maîtrise de la pré-tension revêt d’une grande importance pour garantir la tenue mécanique des assemblages boulonnés, et ce quel que soit le mode de sollicitations auquel ils sont soumis. En particulier, pour les chargements transverses et sous sollicitations de fatigue, un niveau de pré-tension insuffisant ne permet pas d’exploiter la capacité de transfert d’effort des interfaces entre pièces assemblées. Un niveau de pré-tension très important n’est pas souhaitable non plus, car cela génère des phénomènes de fatigue de contact ou de matage excessif sous tête qui ont un effet néfaste sur la durée de vie des assemblages et des structures aéronautiques. Le serrage contrôlé des fixations permet ainsi de produire et de maintenir un équilibre entre les modes de transfert d’effort, permettant ainsi d’exploiter pleinement leur potentiel et obtenir une tenue optimale de l’assemblage. L’objectif de ce travail est d’apporter une contribution à la compréhension et à l’exploitation des assemblages boulonnés à serrage contrôlé. Une approche hybride a été adoptée afin de démontrer l’effet bénéfique d’une pré-tension contrôlée. La modélisation numérique a permis de comprendre les mécanismes de transfert d’effort et de prédire la tenue mécanique des assemblages aéronautiques de façon satisfaisante. La démarche expérimentale a été exclusivement basée sur des techniques dites de serrages alternatifs. L’objectif est d’avoir une faible incertitude sur la valeur de la précontrainte installée, permettant d’évaluer la performance mécanique des assemblages boulonnés. La tenue en fatigue des assemblages boulonnés, travaillant en matage-cisaillement, est largement améliorée grâce à l’application d’une précontrainte précise. La maîtrise des paramètres intrinsèques au maintien de la force axiale de serrage tel que la nature de l’interface entre pièces assemblées, la rigidité des fixations et la nature de l’ajustement, permet également d’esquisser un potentiel d’optimisation non négligeable des assemblages boulonnés. / Axial preload is a fundamental parameter that needs to be correctly mastered in order to ensure the mechanical strength of bolted joints. In the case of bolted shear joints under fatigue solicitations, a low preload does not allow to exploit the load carrying capacity of the friction interfaces. A high preload is undesirable as it can generate fretting fatigue phenomena or excessive under head contact pressure that may lead to decrease fatigue lives of aeronautical joints and structures. Controlled preload application generates and maintains equilibrium of load transfer mechanisms, inducing a full use of their potential and leading to an optimal fatigue life of the joint. This study focuses on aeronautical preloaded joints with the objective of understanding the effects of controlled preload over the mechanics of shear joints and exploiting the contribution of preload to enhance their fatigue lives. For this purpose, a hybrid approach has been adopted to demonstrate the beneficial effect of controlled preload. Numerical modelling has been carried out to better understand the preload influence but also to predict the mechanical strength of bolted joints. The experimental database has been generated using exclusively alternative tightening techniques, in order to reduce the scatter on final preload and therefore evaluate the effect of controlled preload in a more accurate way. The fatigue strength of bolted shear joints has been significantly improved for most of tested configurations due to the application of accurate axial preload. The effects of many other parameters, as the nature of interface, the stiffness of fasteners or the radial adjustment has also been assessed and permits to identify an additional potential optimization of bolted joints.

Abstract not available

In current design of steel eccentrically braced frames (EBFs), the yielding link is coupled with the floor beam. This often results in oversized link elements, which leads to over-designed structures and foundations. In addition, the beams are expected to sustain significant damage through repeated inelastic deformations under design level earthquakes, and thus the structure may require extensive repair or need to be replaced. These drawbacks can be mitigated by designing EBFs with replaceable shear links. Two different replaceable link types with alternate section profiles, connection configurations, welding details and intermediate stiffener spacing were tested. A total of 13 cyclic quasi-static full-scale cyclic tests were performed, which included tests on eccentrically braced frames with the replaceable shear links, to study their inelastic seismic performance. The links exhibited a very good ductile behaviour, developing stable and repeatable yielding. Additional inelastic rotation capacity can be achieved with bolted replaceable links when allowing bolt bearing deformations to occur. The on-site replaceability of the link sections is confirmed even in the presence of residual deformations of 0.5% drift.

In current design of steel eccentrically braced frames (EBFs), the yielding link is coupled with the floor beam. This often results in oversized link elements, which leads to over-designed structures and foundations. In addition, the beams are expected to sustain significant damage through repeated inelastic deformations under design level earthquakes, and thus the structure may require extensive repair or need to be replaced. These drawbacks can be mitigated by designing EBFs with replaceable shear links. Two different replaceable link types with alternate section profiles, connection configurations, welding details and intermediate stiffener spacing were tested. A total of 13 cyclic quasi-static full-scale cyclic tests were performed, which included tests on eccentrically braced frames with the replaceable shear links, to study their inelastic seismic performance. The links exhibited a very good ductile behaviour, developing stable and repeatable yielding. Additional inelastic rotation capacity can be achieved with bolted replaceable links when allowing bolt bearing deformations to occur. The on-site replaceability of the link sections is confirmed even in the presence of residual deformations of 0.5% drift.

Ride and handling are important areas for safety and improved vehicle control during driving. To meet the demands on ride and handling a number of measures can be taken. This master thesis work has focused on the early design phase. At the early phases of design, the level of details is low and the design freedom is big. By introducing a tool to support the early vehicle body design, the potential of finding more efficient structures increases. In this study, topology optimization of a vehicle front structure has been performed using OptiStruct by Altair Engineering. The objective has been to find the optimal topology of beams and rods to achieve high stiffness of the front structure for improved ride and handling. Based on topology optimization a proposal for a beam layout in the front structure area has been identified. A vital part of the project has been to describe how to use topology optimization as a tool in the design process. During the project different approaches has been studied to come from a large design space to a low weight architecture based on a beam-like structure. The different approaches will be described and our experience and recommendations will be presented. Also the general result of a topology-optimized architecture for vehicle body stiffness will be presented.

Beam splices are typically located at moment contraflexure points (where M=0). Most design specifications require these splices to develop a strength either to meet design forces or a minimum value set by specifications. The design forces are typically determined through elastic analysis, which does not include flexibility of splice connections. In this research, two types of splice connections, an extended end plate splice connection and a flange and web plate bolted splice connection, were tested and analyzed to investigate the effect of the partial strength splice connections on structural response. The splices were designed to resist 40% and 34% of connecting section capacities using current steel design codes, respectively. It has been observed from the experiments and FEM analysis results that splice connections designed under capacities of connecting steel members can result in changes in design moment diagrams obtained from analyses without splice connection simulation and can also significantly decrease the rigidity of the structure endangering serviceability. The differences in design moment diagrams can go up to 50 % of elastic analysis without connection flexibility. The vertical displacements can increase to 155% of values obtained from elastic analysis with no splice connection simulation. Therefore, connection flexibility becomes very important to define in analysis.