Finite element analysis and experimental study on high strength bolted friction grip connections in steel bridges

High strength bolted friction grip (HSFG) joints are widely used in steel bridges. Through finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental study, the mechanical behavior including slip–load relationship, load transfer factors, stress state, and friction stress distribution of this type of joints was studied in detail. Both FEA results and experimental results show that the loads resisted by bolts in the edge rows are larger than the ones by bolts in the middle rows. The stress distributions in the connected plate and cover plate are wave-like with large stress and small stress alternate in different locations. Good agreements existed between the test results and the FEA results which verified the accuracy of the FEA. The numerical simulation method of the HSFG joints is proved to be a feasible and time efficient method for connection design.