Behavior and Modeling of a Bolt Bearing on a Single Plate

Abstract

One of the fundamental components of the moment-rotation behavior of a steel or composite partially restrained (PR) connection is the load-deformation behavior associated with high-strength bolts bearing on steel plates. For many PR connections, the writers believe that this bearing behavior can be approximated by the behavior of a single bolt lap plate connection. One of the primary components of the lap plate connection behavior is the local load-deformation behavior associated with a single bolt bearing on a single plate. This paper presents an experimental and analytical study of the single bolt single plate behavior. The results of the paper include specific methods for predicting the initial stiffness, strength, and overall load-deformation behavior of the single bolt single plate connection.