UNIFIED STRENGTH EVALUATION OF BOLTED JOINTS

Abstract

Current design rules of high strength bolted shear joints which appear in specifications such as Limit State Design Spec. of AIJ and LRFD Spec. of AISC describe different rupture modes of joints but they do not define the condition of occurrence of each rupture mode, and furthermore the prescriptions for different types of rupture mode are sometimes inconsistent. This is far from the satisfactoriness for the practitioners. This paper aims at the construction of the unified strength evaluation of bolted joints based on a simple equilibrium model of lap joint subjected to tension. The derived equations are adjusted to meet the reported test results. The condition of occurrence of each rupture mode is specified and the corresponding maximum strength of joint is predicted.