Finite Element Analysis of Cover Plate Joint under Ultimate Loading

This paper presents a parametric study to investigate the mechanical behavior of bolted connection plates based on finite element analysis (FEA). Different parameters as end distances, bolt spacing, and plate thickness. EC3 (Eurocode 3) and AISC-LRFD (American Institute for Steel Construction - Load and Resistance Factor Design) specifications design ultimate loads are compared with finite elements results. Many failure modes are observed such as curling, bearing, net section failure, edge tearing of the connected plate etc. The comparisons showed the differences between the finite element results and the analytical formulae of design codes for each specimen. According to the finite element results, modified formulas are proposed to calculate the ultimate load and the failure type for the cover-plate bolted connections.