Tension Capacity of Staggered Bolted Connections in Cold-Reduced Steel Sheets
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 138, Issue 6
Abstract
This paper examines the assumption implicit in Cochrane’s formula that stresses are uniformly distributed across the net section of a staggered bolted connection. The assumption was found to be overoptimistic for connections in steel having low ductility, leading to unconservative estimates for the tension capacity if the in-plane shear lag is not accounted for. The reduction factor of 0.9 specified in the North American specification for cold-formed steel structures partially, but not wholly, addresses the problems inherent in the code equations. This paper points out that the simplification of Cochrane’s original formula into the standard formula used in steel design codes worldwide can lead to additional design capacity that may not be justified. It proposes an equation that accounts for the in-plane shear lag and incorporates Cochrane’s original formula for determining the net section area. The proposed equation is demonstrated through laboratory tests on 74 staggered bolted connection specimens in 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm G450 sheet steel to be more accurate and consistent than the code equations in predicting the net section tension capacity.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank John Kralic, Manager, Lysaght Research & Technology, Bluescope Steel Limited, for supplying the G450 sheet steel materials used in the present work. The authors thank Gregory Hancock, Emeritus Professor, The University of Sydney, for his expert input and for providing crucial references concerning the state-of-the-art bolted connection design in cold-formed sheet steel. The authors also thank Chris Cook, Dean of Engineering, and Muhammad Hadi, Head of the Advanced Structural Engineering and Construction Materials Group, both of the University of Wollongong, for supporting the laboratory tests that were conducted in the High Bay Laboratory of the Faculty of Engineering. The test specimens were fabricated by Ritchie McLean.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 138 • Issue 6 • June 2012
Pages: 769 - 776
Copyright
© 2012. American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 31, 2011
Accepted: Sep 22, 2011
Published online: Sep 26, 2011
Published in print: Jun 1, 2012
Published ahead of production: Jun 15, 2012
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