Modelling and strength prediction of pre-tensioned hybrid bonded joints for structural steel applications

ABSTRACT

Strength prediction of bonded joints remains a challenging task made even further complicated for hybrid joints in which adhesive is supplemented by mechanical fasteners. The present paper complements a series of experimental investigations on hybrid joints combining adhesive bonding with pre-tensioned bolts on galvanised and coated steel substrates, and considering two adhesives. The paper starts with modelling the strength of the bonded connection under the simultaneous action of tensile and compressive normal stresses, and shear. It then presents how these data are moulded into appropriate failure criteria and used the latter as input data for a subsequent full probabilistic finite element analysis. Following the paths of Weibull and subsequent researchers, joint capacity is predicted with reasonable accuracy for a dozen different combinations of substrates, adhesive, and pre-tension level – for which, on average, an accuracy slightly below 10% has been achieved. The results deliver meaningful insights into the subtle relationship between adhesive bonding, mechanical fastening, failure criteria, and resulting predictions methods.

KEYWORDS:

• Epoxy/epoxides
• civil engineering
• finite element analysis
• joint design
• statistical analysis
• metals

Acknowledgements

Parts of this work were financially supported by the research program IGF–20036BG funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy—through the European Research Association of Sheet Metal Working (EFB e.V.)

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Allianz Industrie Forschung [20036BG].