Bearing Behavior of Cold-Formed Thick-Walled Steel Plates with a Single Bolt

This paper presents the results of an experimental and analytical study on the behavior of cold-formed thick-walled steel plates connected by a single bolt under double shear. Experimental studies were conducted on a total of 54 bolted connections fabricated from two thicknesses of cold-formed thick-walled steel plates, with nominal thicknesses of 6 mm and 10 mm. The effects of the end distance, edge distance, and steel plate thickness on the bolt bearing behavior were investigated. The codes of (modified) ANSI/AISC 360-22 and EN1993-1-8 were applied to predict the failure modes and bearing resistance of the connections, and the predictions were compared with those of the measurements. The studies show that fractures occurred on the shear planes of the specimens that failed because of the shear-out that occurred due to reduced ductility, which was caused by the cold forming process. The modified ANSI/AISC gives the most accurate predictions of the failure modes and bearing resistance. However, the bearing resistance will be overestimated if the reduction in the area of the shear planes caused by the occurrence of fractures is ignored in specimens with an end distance higher than 2.0d0, and a reduction factor is needed to calculate the bearing resistance of the connections.