EFFECTS OF HOLE MISALIGNMENT AND AXIAL FORCE OF ORDINARY BOLTS ON MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR AND RESIDUAL DEFORMATION OF STEEL EARTH RETAING BEAM JOINTS

Abstract

This study focuses on the joints of an earth-retaining beam joints. In this study, the effects of errors in the initial bolt axial force and bolt hole misalignment on joint performance and residual deformation were investigated through parametric FE analysis. The analysis results indicate that the initial axial force of the bolts used to tighten the splice plate affects the yield strength, while the misalignment of the bolt holes influences the maximum bearing capacity. Residual deformation occurs between the end plates when the axial force of the bolt tightening the splice plate is low; however, the magnitude of the residual deformation is minimal.