Finite element modeling of bolted connections in thin-walled stainless steel plates under static shear

The recently performed experimental study indicates that the current Japanese steel design standards (AIJ) cannot be used to predict accurately the ultimate behavior of bolted connections loaded in static shear, which are fabricated from thin-walled (cold-formed) SUS304 austenite stainless steel plates and thus, modified formula for calculating the ultimate strength to account for the mechanical properties of stainless steel and thin-walled steel plates were proposed. In this study, based on the existing test data for calibration and parametric study, finite element (FE) model with three-dimensional solid elements using ABAQUS program is established to investigate the structural behavior of bolted shear connections with thin-walled stainless steel plate. Non-linear material and non-geometric analysis is carried out in order to predict the load–displacement curves of bolted connections. Curling, i.e., out of plane deformation of the ends of connection plates which occurred in test specimens was also observed in FE model without geometric imperfection, the effect of curling on the ultimate strength was examined quantitatively and the failure criteria which is suitable to predict failure modes of bolted connections was proposed. In addition, results of the FE analysis are compared with previous experimental results, failure modes and ultimate strengths predicted by recommended procedures of FE showed a good correlation with those of experimental results and numerical approach was found to provide estimates with reasonable accuracy.