ABSTRACT
The maximum deformation demand placed on bolts in a single plate shear connection in response to rotation demands is herein derived. The deformation demand is a function of the neutral axis of the connection. If the rotation demand is large enough to result in the beam bearing on the column, the neutral axis of the connection migrates to the point of bearing. Prior to bearing, the neutral axis will be located within the length of the connection plate. Forty-five data points obtained from three full-scale tests on three-, four-, and six-bolt connections were used to determine the location of this neutral axis. The mean location was 0.63 times the length of the connection plate. The coefficient of variation was 5.9%. The displacement demands at critical fastener locations calculated using this mean value for the location of the connection neutral axis compared favorably to the deformation demands measured during testing, with an average difference of approximately 5.9%.
