Mechanical performance of novel steel one-sided bolted joints in shear

• Published in: Journal of constructional steel research 2020-02, Vol.165, p.105815, Article 105815
• Main Authors: Wan, Chuqi, Bai, Yu, Ding, Chenting, Zhu, Lei, Yang, Lu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Closed section member; Double lapped joint; Hollow section members; One-sided bolt; Shear performance
• ISSN: 0143-974X; 1873-5983
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2019.105815

This paper introduces an innovative one-sided bolt with ellipse head and examines its mechanical performance based on experimental and numerical studies of double lapped joint configuration. The design of one-sided bolt mechanism and geometry was completed through detailed Finite Element (FE) analysis considering contact behaviours and bolt pre-tensioning. Four bolt head geometries were assessed and comparatively studied in terms of yielding capacity, slip distance and stress concentration; and two bolt diameters and two installation configurations were introduced for each bolt head geometry. Experiments were then conducted based on the specimens manufactured with the optimised geometry for validation of the design and installation considerations, with comparison to ordinary bolts. It was found that the optimal aspect ratio of the ellipse bolt head is about 1.7 and orthotropic installation configuration was recommended. Such innovative one-sided bolts with simple manufacturing and installation sequence exhibit comparable shear performance with ordinary bolts, enabling the use of closed sections for construction with easy assembly and disassembly. •Proposal of an innovative one-sided bolt with ellipse head.•Determined optimal head geometry of such one-sided bolts.•Clarified effects on installation configurations for the one-sided bolted joints.•Numerical and experimental studies for the one-sided bolted joints.•Comparative study between the one-sided and ordinary bolted joints.