A General Design Rule for Bearing Failure of Bolted Connections Between Cold-formed Steel Strips

This paper presents the results of a finite element investigation on the structural performance of cold-formed steel bolted connections. A parametric study on various connection configurations was performed to relate the bearing resistances of cold-formed steel bolted connections with steel strengths and thicknesses, and bolt diameters. A semi-empirical design rule for bearing resistances of bolted connections based on finite element results is proposed in which the bearing resistances are directly related with the design yield strength, and the design tensile strength of steel strips, steel thickness, and also with bolt diameters. Design expressions for resistance contributions due to both bearing and friction actions are given after calibration against finite element results