• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.273-286
• /
• 2018

In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing design rules for stainless steel members, while the investigation on bolted connections is relatively limited, in particular at elevated temperatures. In this paper, experimental and numerical investigations on stainless steel bolted connections at ambient and elevated temperatures from the literature were reviewed. Firstly, the research program that focused on structural behavior of cold-formed stainless steel (CFSS) bolted connections at elevated temperatures carried out by the authors were summarized. Over 400 CFSS single shear and double shear bolted connection specimens were tested. The tests were conducted in the temperature ranged from 22 to $950^{\circ}C$ using both steady state and transient state test methods. It is shown that the connection strengths decrease as the temperature increases in the similar manner for the steady state test results and the transient state test results. Generally, the deterioration of the connection strengths showed a similar tendency of reduction to those of the material properties for the same type of stainless steel regardless of different connection types and different configurations. It is also found that the austenitic stainless steel EN 1.4571 generally has better resistance than the stainless steel EN 1.4301 and EN 1.4162 for bolted connections at elevated temperatures. Secondly, extensive parametric studies that included 450 specimens were performed using the verified finite element models. Based on both the experimental and numerical results, bearing factors are proposed for bearing resistances of CFSS single shear and double shear bolted connections that subjected to bearing failure in the temperature ranged from 22 to $950^{\circ}C$. The bearing resistances of bolted connections obtained from the tests and numerical analyses were compared with the nominal strengths calculated from the current international stainless steel specifications, and also compared with the predicted strengths calculated using the proposed design equations. It is shown that the proposed design equations are generally more accurate and reliable than the current design rules in predicting the bearing resistances of CFSS (EN 1.4301, EN 1.4571 and EN 1.4162) bolted connections at elevated temperatures. Lastly, the proposed design rules were further assessed by the available 58 results of stainless steel bolted connections subjected to bearing failure in the literature. It is found that the proposed design rules are also applicable to the bearing resistance design of other stainless steel grades, including austenitic stainless steel (EN 1.4306), ferritic stainless steel (EN 1.4016) and duplex stainless steel (EN 1.4462).

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.551-565
• /
• 2019

A total of 36 carbon steel and stainless steel bolted connections subjected to shear loading at different strain rates was experimentally investigated. The connection specimens were fabricated from carbon steel grades 1.20 mm G500 and 1.90 mm G450, as well as cold-formed stainless steel types EN 1.4301 and EN 1.4162 with nominal thickness 1.50 mm. The connection tests were conducted by displacement control test method. The strain rates of 10 mm/min and 20 mm/min were used. Structural behaviour of the connection specimens tested at different strain rates was investigated in terms of ultimate load, elongation corresponding to ultimate load and failure mode. Generally, it is shown that the higher strain rate on the bolted connection specimens, the higher ultimate load was obtained. The ultimate loads were averagely 2-6% higher, while the corresponding elongations were averagely 8-9% higher for the test results obtained from the strain rate of 20 mm/min compared with those obtained from the lower strain rates (1.0 mm/min for carbon steel and 1.5 mm/min for stainless steel). The connection specimens were generally failed in plate bearing of the carbon steel and stainless steel. It is shown that increasing the strain rate up to 20 mm/min generally has no effect on the bearing failure mode of the carbon steel and stainless steel bolted connections. The test strengths and failure modes were compared with the results predicted by the bolted connection design rules in international design specifications, including the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS4600 2018), Eurocode 3 - Part 1.3 (EC3-1.3 2006) and North American Specification (AISI S100 2016) for cold-formed carbon steel structures as well as the American Specification (ASCE 2002), AS/NZS4673 (2001) and Eurocode 3 - Part 1.4 (EC3-1.4 2015) for stainless steel structures. It is shown that the AS/NZS4600 (2018), EC3-1.3 (2006) and AISI S100 (2016) generally provide conservative predictions for the carbon steel bolted connections. Both the ASCE (2002) and the EC3-1.4 (2015) provide conservative predictions for the stainless steel bolted connections. The EC3-1.3 (2006) generally provided more accurate predictions of failure mode for carbon steel bolted connections than the AS/NZS4600 (2018) and the AISI S100 (2016). The failure modes of stainless steel bolted connections predicted by the EC3-1.4 (2015) are more consistent with the test results compared with those predicted by the ASCE (2002).

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.227-241
• /
• 2024

Advancements in additive manufacturing technology, notably for its efficiency, accuracy, automation, and streamlined procedures, are increasingly relevant in civil engineering. This study evaluates the mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel bolted connections fabricated using Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing. Eleven single-lap bolted connection specimens were tested under monotonic loading to assess the influence of various factors, including plate thickness, manufacturing direction, bolt end and edge distances, and bolt quantity, on the connections' anti-sliding and shear capacities. Material tests conducted prior to the connection tests revealed that PBF-manufactured stainless steel plates possess higher yield and ultimate strength, as well as greater elongation capacity, compared to traditional stainless steel plates. The connection tests indicated that the anti-sliding coefficient values range from 0.348 to 0.698, aligning with current standards for stainless steel bolted connections. Three distinct failure modes were identified: net section failure in the stainless-steel plate, bolt shear failure, and plate shear failure. It was determined that existing standards for anti-sliding capacity may not be entirely applicable to PBF-manufactured connections. Therefore, a modified model for the anti-sliding capacity of these connections is proposed. Additionally, a more accurate formula for calculating their shear capacity, which addresses the oversight of friction forces in current standards, is introduced.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.463-474
• /
• 2013

Many experimental and numerical researches for thin-walled carbon steel and austenitic stainless steel single shear bolted connections have been conducted and the modified design equations of ultimate strength were proposed. In this study, the tests of double shear bolted connections with bolt arrangements ($2{\times}1$, $2{\times}2$) and end distance parallel to the loading direction as main variables were performed. Specimens were planed with a constant dimension of edge distance perpendicular to the loading direction, bolt diameter, pitch and gauge like single shear bolted connections. The test results such as ultimate strength and fracture mode were compared with those of current design standards. Furthermore, modified block shear equations for double shear bolted connections were suggested.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.29-39
• /
• 2011

With regard to steel construction, many studies have been performed to examine the structural behavior of the bolted connections domestically and in other countries. Especially, a domestic study was conducted on the block shear fracture and shear lag effect on the single-bolted angle connection in carbon steel. In this study, specimens were prepared with the end distance parallel to the loading direction and bolt arrangement ($1{\times}1$, $1{\times}2$), as the main variables. Then the fracture mode and the curling effect on the bolted angle connection in austenitic stainless steel were investigated. Moreover, the fracture mode and ultimate strength were compared, and the strength reduction by curling was estimated.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2017

This study focused on the ultimate behaviors(ultimate strength and fracture mode ) of single shear bolted connection with austenitic sainless steel(STS201) and curling effect on the ultimate strength using finite element analysis based on test results. Main variables are end distance in the parallel direction to loading and edge distance in the perpendicular direction to loading. The validation of finite element analysis procedures was verified through the comparisons of ultimate strength, fracture mode and curling(out-of-plane deformation) occurrence between test results and numerical predictions. Curling was observed in both test and analysis results and it reduced the ultimate strength of single- shear bolted connections with relatively long end distances. Strength reduction ratios caused by curling were estimated quantitatively by maximum 19%, 32%, respectively for specimens with edge distance, 48 mm and 60 mm compared with strengths of uncurled connections with restrained out-of-plane deformation. Finally, analysis strengths were compared with current design strengths and it is found that design block shear equations did not provide the accurate predictions for bolted connections with strength reduction by curling.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.659-669
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate the ultimate strength and curling influence using finite element analysis based on the previous test results of ferritic stainless steel bolted connections. Results obtained from finite element analysis (FEA) were compared with those of test results and the validity of numerical modeling was verified. The conditions of curing occurrence for edge/end distance were investigated and ultimate strength reduction ratio caused by curling was estimated quantitatively. Moreover, the ultimate behaviors such as fracture mode and ultimate strength by FEA were compared with those predicted by current design specifications such as AISC, KBC2009, AIJ and AISI.

• International journal of steel structures
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.1139-1152
• /
• 2018

Many studies on the application of stainless steels as structural materials in buildings and infra-structures have been performed thanks to superior characteristics of corrosion resistance, fire resistance and aesthetic appeal. Experimental investigation to estimate the ultimate strength and fracture mode of the fillet-welded connections of cold-formed austenitic stainless steel (STS304L) with better intergranular corrosion resistance than that of austenitic stainless steel, STS304 commonly used has carried out by authors. Specimens were fabricated to fail by base metal fracture not weld metal fracture with main variables of weld lengths according to loading direction. All specimens showed a block shear fracture mode. In this paper, finite element analysis model was developed to predict the ultimate behaviors of welded connection and its validity was verified through the comparison with test results. Since the block shear behavior of welded connection due to stress triaxiality and shear-lag effects is different from that of bolted connection, stress and strain distributions in the critical path of tensile and shear fracture section were investigated. Test and analysis strengths were compared with those by current design specifications such as AISC, EC3 and existing researcher's proposed equations. In addition, through parametric analysis with extended variables, the conditions of end distance and longitudinal weld length for block shear fracture and tensile fracture were suggested.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2018

Recently, the use of duplex stainless steel which with a two-phase microstructure (equal mixture of ferrite and austenite) has been increased in a variety of industrial fields due to higher strength leading to weight saving, greater corrosion resistance(particularly, stress corrosion cracking) and lower price. However, currently, stainless steels are not included in the structural materials of Korean Building Code and corresponding design standards are not specified. In this paper, experimental studies have been performed to investigate the structural behaviors of duplex stainless steel (STS329FLD) bolted connection with two bolts for providing the design data. Main variables are shear connection type (single shear and double shear) and end distance parallel to the direction of applied force. Fracture modes at the final step of test were classified into typical block shear fracture, tensile fracture and curling. Curling occurrence in single shear connection led to ultimate strength drop by up to 20%. Test strengths were compared with those by current design specifications such as AISC/AISI/KBC, EC3 and AIJ and proposed equations by existing studies. For specimens with no curling, Clement & Teh's equation considering the active shear plane provided a higher strength estimation accurancy and for specimens with curling, Kim & Lim's equation considering strength reduction by curling was also overly unconservative to predict the ultimate strength of curled connections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.281-298
• /
• 2024

Stainless steel bolts (SSB) are increasingly utilized in bolted steel connections due to their good mechanical performance and excellent corrosion resistance. Fire accidents, which commonly occur in engineering scenarios, pose a significant threat to the safety of steel frames. The post-fire behavior of SSB has a significant influence on the structural integrity of steel frames, and neglecting the effect of temperature can lead to serious accidents in engineering. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the performance of SSB at elevated temperatures and their residual strength after a fire incident. To investigate the mechanical behavior of SSB after fire, 114 bolts with grades A4-70 and A4-80, manufactured from 316L austenitic stainless steel, were subjected to elevated temperatures ranging from 20℃ to 1200℃. Two different cooling methods commonly employed in engineering, namely cooling at ambient temperatures (air cooling) and cooling in water (water cooling), were used to cool the bolts. Tensile tests were performed to examine the influence of elevated temperatures and cooling methods on the mechanical behavior of SSB. The results indicate that the temperature does not significantly affect the Young's modulus and the ultimate strength of SSB. Up to 500℃, the yield strength increases with temperature, but this trend reverses when the temperature exceeds 500℃. In contrast, the ultimate strain shows the opposite trend. The strain hardening exponent is not significantly influenced by the temperature until it reaches 500℃. The cooling methods employed have an insignificant impact on the performance of SSB. When compared to high-strength bolts, 316L austenitic SSB demonstrate superior fire resistance. Design models for the post-fire mechanical behavior of 316L austenitic SSB, encompassing parameters such as the elasticity modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength, ultimate strain, and strain hardening exponent, are proposed, and a more precise stress-strain model is recommended to predict the mechanical behavior of 316L austenitic SSB after a fire incident.