Single shear bolted connection tests of G500 1.20mm thin sheet steel at elevated temperatures

Abstract

The current design rules on bolted connections of thin sheet steels for cold-formed steel structures are applicable for ambient temperature condition only. Research on such kind of connections at high temperatures is limited. In this study, 47 single shear bolted connection specimens fabricated from G500 1.20mm thin sheet steel and 9 coupon specimens were conducted by using steady state test method in the temperature range from 22°C to 90°C Two failure modes were observed in the single shear bolted connection tests, namely the net section tension, and bearing. The test results were compared with the predicted values calculated from the American, Australian/New Zealand and European specifications for cold-formed steel structures. In calculating the nominal strengths of the connections, the reduced material properties were used due to the deterioration of material at elevated temperatures. It is shown that the strengths of the single shear bolted connections predicted by the specifications are generally conservative at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the comparison between the deterioration of the strengths of connections and that of the material properties due to high temperatures showed a similar tendency of reduction.