An improved and robust finite element model for simulation of thin-walled steel bolted connections

Thin-walled cold-formed steel (CFS) structures are widely used in low-storey buildings and seeing increased applications multi-storey as well long-span structures. The bolted connection is one of the most common types fasteners employed CFS bolt slippage load-bearing mechanism connections have a significant influence on structural behaviour construction assemblies, which typically numerically simulated using spring/connector elements. However, determination input parameters for elements generally requires load-deformation characteristics obtained from physical tests lap joints, costly time-consuming. Moreover, use fails to explicitly capture bearing behaviour, resulting inaccuracy simulation connections. In this paper, an accurate, efficient robust numerical method that can fully replicate considering both effects has been introduced. proposed methodology, plates modelled conventional shell elements, while number solid introduced around holes, enabling bolt-plate interaction be accounted for, with contact pairs defined between bolts their surrounding element surfaces. could find convergence solution dynamic implicit solver general-purpose finite (FE) software ABAQUS. Good agreement FE models available test results were achieved, sheds light promising application simulating assembled