This study addresses the issue of adjusting the proportion of load transmitted by each hole in a multiplehole joint so that the joint capacity is a maximum. Specifically two-hole-in-series joints are examined. The results indicate that when each hole reacts 50% of the total load, the joint capacity is not a maximum. One hole generally is understressed at joint failure. The algorithm developed to determine the load proportion at each hole which results in maximum capacity is discussed. The algorithm includes two-dimensional finite-element stress analysis and a failure criteria. The algorithm is used to study the effects of joint width, hole spacing, and hole to joint-end distance on load proportioning and capacity. To study hole size effects, two hole diameters are considered. Three laminates are considered: a quasi-isotropic laminate; a cross-ply laminate; and a 45 degree angle-ply laminate. By proportioning the load, capacity can be increased generally from 5 to 10%. In some cases a greater increase is possible. / M.S.

This thesis presents the results of testing to determine the significance of the group action factor at the 5% offset yield and capacity of single-shear bolted wood connections loaded parallel to grain. The single and multiple-bolt connections tested represent common connection geometries used in wood construction in the United States. The results of both monotonic and cyclic loading of connections are presented. Monotonic test data was used to determine an appropriately scaled CUREE Displacement Controlled Quasi-Static Cyclic Protocol. Overall, one hundred and eighty connections were tested using this cyclic protocol based on data obtained from thirty-three monotonic tests. Tested assemblies had geometric variables that include number of bolts per row, number of rows, bolt diameter, and side member material. In addition, the main and side member material and thickness were designed to produce three of the four major connection yield modes as defined by the 1997 National Design Specification for Wood Construction (AF&PA, 1997). Results from this research address the need for adequate spacing of bolts in a row to control the brittle connection behavior that directly affected the group action factor at capacity. / Master of Science

Currently, the design model for flexural rupture of an eccentrically loaded bracket plate is based on the material tensile rupture strength times the net elastic section modulus. Different bolt and plate sizes were tested to determine if this model is correct. It was found that the current model is conservative and that the material tensile rupture strength times the net plastic section modulus is a superior design model. Also, limited finite element modeling was performed to predict the elastic stiffness of such connections. The resulting data correlates well with test results, and confirms that most of the connection ductility comes from bolt plowing. These results can be used for splice plate connections in cantilever construction, as well. / Master of Science

A FORTRAN computer program applying the ultimate strength/instantaneous center of rotation method was written to generate the eccentricity coefficients used for the study of this project. For single line bolted connections, the value of the eccentricity coefficient is determined by several independent variables: NR (number of rows in the bolted connection), B (distance between two adjacent bolts in a vertical column), Xo (horizontal distance from centroid to applied load), and 0 (the load angle). From the relationships between the eccentricity coefficient and the independent variables, it was observed that a mathematical model of the eccentricity coefficient with respect to the independent variables is hard to determine. Hence, statistical equations for predicting the eccentricity coefficients were developed by using the Buckingham's PI-Theorem and regression analysis. The precision of the statistical equations is discussed, and several ways to improve the precision are presented in this paper. / Master of Science

A critical assessment of the current design theory for bolted joints which is based on a linear, one-dimensional stiffness analysis is presented. A detailed nonlinear finite element analysis of a bolted joint conforming to ANSI standards was performed. The finite element results arc presented in the classical bolted joint diagram and compared with the linear theory. The results revealed that the joint stiffness is highly dependent on the magnitude of the applied load. The joint stiffness changes continuously from extremely high for small applied loads to extremely low for large applied loads, contrary to the constant joint stiffness of the linear theory. The linear theory is shown to be extremely inadequate in characterizing the joint stiffness. The significance of the results in terms of the failure of bolted joints is discussed. Straight-forward analytical procedures are proposed for establishing estimates of the nonlinear stiffness description and the associate bolt loading in fatigue environments. The linear theory should be discarded and the more accurate nonlinear joint description be used. These results also provide the finite element community an improved model for the interconnection of substructures. The two-dimensional, axisymmetric finite element model includes bilinear gap elements to model the interfaces. Special orthotropic elements were used to model the bolt/nut thread interaction. A free-body-diagram approach was taken by applying loads to the outer diameter of the joint model which correspond to internal, uniformly distributed line-shear and line-moment loads in the joint. A number of convergence studies were performed to validate the solution. / Ph. D.

Este trabalho apresenta resultados teóricos e experimentais sobre o comportamento estrutural de ligações parafusadas viga-coluna com chapa de topo. São estudados dois tradicionais métodos de dimensionamento e as ligações são analisadas numericamente, via método dos estados limites. Os resultados são comparados com os obtidos através de ensaios de 35 protótipos, nos quais variou-se, alternadamente, a espessura da chapa de topo e o diâmetro dos parafusos. Discute-se, em particular, a influência destes parâmetros no comportamento momento-rotação das ligações com chapa de topo e, ao final, apresentam-se as conclusões pertinentes e recomendações para o prosseguimento dos estudos. / This work presents the theoretical and experimental results on the structural behavior of bolted end plate connections. They are designed by two traditional methods and analyzed by the finite element method. Comparisons are made between the FEM results and those obtained by an experimental analysis on 35 cruciform welded profile models, in which end plate thickness and bolt diameter was alternately varied. Special attention is paid for evaluating the influence of these parameters in the moment rotation behavior of the connections. Finally, the remarks and conclusions are presented and some topics for posterior researches are suggested.

Este trabalho apresenta resultados teóricos e experimentais sobre o comportamento estrutural de ligações parafusadas viga-coluna com chapa de topo. São estudados dois tradicionais métodos de dimensionamento e as ligações são analisadas numericamente, via método dos estados limites. Os resultados são comparados com os obtidos através de ensaios de 35 protótipos, nos quais variou-se, alternadamente, a espessura da chapa de topo e o diâmetro dos parafusos. Discute-se, em particular, a influência destes parâmetros no comportamento momento-rotação das ligações com chapa de topo e, ao final, apresentam-se as conclusões pertinentes e recomendações para o prosseguimento dos estudos. / This work presents the theoretical and experimental results on the structural behavior of bolted end plate connections. They are designed by two traditional methods and analyzed by the finite element method. Comparisons are made between the FEM results and those obtained by an experimental analysis on 35 cruciform welded profile models, in which end plate thickness and bolt diameter was alternately varied. Special attention is paid for evaluating the influence of these parameters in the moment rotation behavior of the connections. Finally, the remarks and conclusions are presented and some topics for posterior researches are suggested.

The use of the cold-formed steel sheet bolted connections without washers is so significant; however, the North American Specifications for the Design of Cold Formed Steel Structural Members, NASPEC, doesn't provide provisions for such connections. The bearing failure of sheet and the shear failure of sheet were considered in this study. For the sheet shear strength, it was found that the NASPEC (2007) design provisions can be used for oversized holes in both single and double shear configurations and for the double shear connections on short slotted holes. For the sheet bearing strength, a new design method was proposed to be used for low and high ductile steel sheets. The method was compared with the NASPEC and the University of Waterloo approach. Washers were still required for single shear connections on short slotted holes. Besides, connections using ASTM A325 bolts yielded higher bearing strength than connections using ASTM A307 bolts.

In cold-formed steel (CFS) construction, bolted connections without washers for either oversized or slotted holes may significantly expedite the installation process and lower the cost. However, the North American Specification (AISI S100, 2007) for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members requires washers to be installed in bolted connections with oversized or slotted holes. A research project (Phase 1) sponsored by American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) was recently completed at the University of North Texas (UNT) that investigated the performance and strength of bolted CFS connections with oversized and slotted holes without using washers. The research presented in this thesis is the Phase 2 project in which the bolted CFS connections were studied in a broader respect in terms of the failure mechanism, the material thickness, and the hole configurations. Single shear and double shear connections without washers using oversized holes, oversized combined with standard or slotted holes were experimentally examined. Combined with Phase 1 results, the Phase 2 gives a comprehensive evaluation of the behavior and strength of bolted CFS connections with oversized and slotted holes without using washers. Revisions to the existing AISI North American Specification requirements for bolted connections are proposed to account for the reduction in the connection strength caused by the oversized and slotted hole configurations without washers. Specific LRFD and LSD resistance factors and ASD safety factors for different hole configurations in terms of the new proposed methods were presented.

The difficulty in developing bolted connection designs lies in the limitations in existing methods to characterize their strength and typically nonlinear response due to the complex interaction of the bolts and structural components. Yet it is necessary for the engineer to be able to determine the three main connection response characteristics: stiffness, strength, and ductility to account for their influence on the overall structural response behavior. The need for better connection response characterization becomes even more crucial in a performance based design approach or when designing partially-restrained moment frames. Several welded moment resisting frame connections were found to have serious failures following the 1994 Northridge earthquake leading to more interest and research on bolted connections as an alternative. In this study a refined three dimensional nonlinear finite element modeling approach to accurately simulate the response of bolted connections is presented. Sensitivity studies of modeling parameters are also performed. A nonlinear response dataset of over 400 connection cases is generated using this approach with a parametric bolted angle connection model. The use of a parametric Richard-Abbott type function and a neural network, calibrated using the response dataset, as practical tool to model the nonlinear stiffness response of bolted connections under monotonic loading is demonstrated and assessed. Failure criteria that can be practically used in conjunction with the refined three dimensional finite element models without any additional modeling requirements are developed. The stress modified critical strain (SMCS) criterion based on the void growth and coalescence mechanism initiating ductile fracture in steel is used for determining failure in the connection member. The bolt failure criterion developed is a mechanics based model using the elliptical interaction of the tensile and shear capacity envelope. The failure criteria and bolted angle response dataset is combined to assess in detail the impact of geometry and topography of the bolted angle connections on the following response characteristics: strength, initial stiffness, plastic stiffness, and absolute ductility or the displacement capacity. Finally, using the dataset of bolted angle connection response, along with their capacities and failure modes determined using the developed failure criteria, the prying strength models in the AISC LRFD Specifications, Eurocode, and a hybrid model are assessed and found to be very conservative for some cases. Based on these results a modified Eurocode and hybrid prying strength model is proposed which greatly improves the prying strength prediction. These prying models are assessed and verified using experimental data found in literature.