Abstract
A new discrete model, RBSM, for the slipping problem of the joints up to the state of major slip is developed. A joint element separated by imaginary vertical plane, which includes bolt axis, is assumed to be consisted of four half rigid bodies connected by two elongation springs κe and a shear spring κs. The spring κe has the same quantity as the elongation stiffness of the plate with bolt holes, and κs has nonlinear properties that the shear force, when it reaches critical shear force against local slip, holds the same value of critical one, The initial shear-spring constant κs0 is determined by setting the total shear strain energy in the spring equally to the one in the plates with two compensation factors φ and φ. The theoretical solution of load-displacement relation and major slip load was verified by comparing the theoretical results with the results of tests carried by Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority.
