Blind Bolting W‐Shape Beams to HSS Columns

Abstract

Connecting a W‐shape beam to a hollow steel section (HSS) column using conventional bolts is difficult due to a lack of access inside the hollow section column to tighten the nut. Field welding the connection remains the common practice. The objective of this work is to propose a bolted moment connection for rectangular hollow steel columns using high‐strength blind bolts, and to evaluate such a connection in terms of its performance and its failure modes. An experimental program was conducted involving beam‐to‐column specimens subjected to beam tip monotonic loading. Moment‐rotation relationships of the tested connections were obtained while the response of the connection and its elements was investigated. Results show promising performance of such a connection type in terms of its stiffness, moment capacity, and ductility. Comparison is made with a similar connection using ordinary high‐strength A325 bolts. For the blind bolted connection, it was found that column flange thickness is a critical element that may govern the failure mode.