INVESTIGATION INTO PRYING FORCE AND BOLT MOMENT IN WELDED STEEL T-STUBS

Prying action may develop in bolted T-stub connection due to the flange deformation. In this paper, an extensive numerical study was carried out on welded plate T-stubs to investigate prying action. Using experimental data in the literature, a finite element model was constructed and validated in ABAQUS. Good agreement was obtained, and over 200 FE models were generated to study the influence of flange thickness, edge distance, and gauge distance on the behavior of bolted T-stubs, including prying effects. The resistance predictions provided in EN 1993-1-8 were found to be conservative. This study's novelty was the focus on the bending moment that may develop in the bolts. Tests have highlighted the flexural engagement of the bolts. Combined with tensile action in the bolts, it may induce substantial stresses and cause premature failure. Few studies have been dedicated to investigating the bending moment in the bolts. Consequently, the actual codes do not account for the bending moment in the bolts. It was found that the bolt moment could be considerable and should be accounted for in the design procedure. The influence of several geometrical properties on the bolt moment was investigated. Additionally, the M-N interaction curves examined the combined action of tension and bending in the bolts.