Development of a connector element for multi-material bolted-joint under tensile loading

ABSTRACT

In this paper, experimental and analytical methods are presented to investigate the development of a connector element for bolted-joint under tensile loading. In the experimental part of the research, different configurations of steel aluminum bolted-joints are tested under various mechanical states (tensile, torsion, and shear loadings) for single, multi-fasteners, and multiple rows. Based on the classical hypothesis of the strength of materials and Kirchhoff–Love theories, we propose a model of stiffness matrix for bolted-joints. The hypothesis of decoupling between rigidities allows us to reduce the number of components to six (three rigidities in traction and three others in torsion). Based on both analytical formulas and the experimental results, the stiffness matrix of bolted-joints was derived. The latter has been integrated into a two-dimensional numerical model composed of two thin plates meshed with DKT elements. The approach is validated against experimental results of two, four-bolt joints and good agreement was obtained. Finally, in order to analyze the capability of the model to capture strain distribution under complex tensile load, a numerical study on a structure with three transverse bolts undergoing distributed loads is employed.

KEYWORDS:

• Connector element
• bolted-joint
• experimental campaign
• stiffness matrix
• tensile loading

Acknowledgment

We thank CETIM for their experimental data, particularly Patrick Marchand, Romain Barrellon, and Joris Laffay.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to the Conseil Régional de Picardie of France for financial support through OSAMM project.