ABSTRACT
Bearing-type connection is one of the practical solutions for connecting steel members. Application of high strength steel in the bearing-type connection will effectively improve the load-transfer capacity of the whole connection. However, compared to conventional steel, high strength steel has reduced ductility and localized deformation capabilities. Moreover, formulae of bearing check in current Eurocode3 and AISC 360-16 are based on test results of conventional steels. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the behavior of bearing-type connections in high strength steels and check the related applicability of current codes. This paper summarizes recent research findings on the behavior of bearing-type connections with one or two bolts in Tongji University. Both experimental observations and comparison with current codes are presented. It is found that the reduced ductility and localized deformation capabilities of high strength steels will not cause unfavorable effects on the behavior of bearing-type connections. Similar normalized ultimate bearing resistance are observed for connections fabricated from both conventional steels and high strength steels. Behavior of single-bolt connection is also compared to that of an individual bolt in two-bolt connection. Results indicate that the behavior of an individual bolt in two-bolt connection is identical to the single-bolt connection with same end distance. Based on the comparison with current codes, it is further found that prediction by current Eurocode3 is still conservative for bearing-type connections. Current AISC 360-16 may overestimate ultimate bearing resistance of the connection when control on the bolt hole elongation is not considered in the practical design. Current Chinese code GB 50017-2017 achieves a more conservative design than Eurocode3.
