Load–deflection behaviour of thin-walled bolted plates in shear at elevated temperatures

•Propose an analytical method for complete load–displacement curve.•Validation of calculations for initial stiffness, maximum load at elevated temperatures.•First analytical method for calculating the maximum displacement.

This paper presents the results of a numerical and analytical study of the load–deflection behaviour of thin-walled bolted plates under bolt shear at elevated temperatures. This paper first presents validation of the numerical simulation results against the high temperature tests carried out by Hirashima and Uesugi. The validated numerical model was then used to conduct an extensive series of parametric studies, in which the connection temperatures, material properties, geometries were changed, to generate a database of results to check the applicability of an analytical model previously developed by the authors for evaluating the load–deflection behaviour of this type of connection at ambient temperature. The results of this comparison indicate that the ambient temperature model can be applied to the elevated temperature condition if the ambient temperature mechanical properties of steel (Young’s modulus, yield stress, elongation) are replaced by those at elevated temperatures.