Structural behaviors and curling influence of single shear bolted connections with aluminum alloys (7075-T6)

Abstract

Experimental study has been performed to investigate the structural behaviors of single shear bolted connections fastened with aluminum alloys (7075-T6). End distance parallel to the direction of applied force was chosen as a main variable. Some specimens with a relatively short end distance failed by typical shear-out fracture and curling (out-of-plane deformation) in the perpendicular direction to loading was also observed for the others with a long end distance. The curling caused a temporary strength drop during test and test ultimate strengths were compared with those predicted by finite element analysis results. The validity of finite element analysis (FEA) for predicting the structural behaviors of bolted connections was verified and strength reduction ratio by curling was estimated quantitatively.