Testing and Design of Bolted Connections in Cold Formed Steel Sections

A detailed analysis of the strength and rigidity of bolted connections in cold formed steel has been carried out. Design expressions are proposed that improve on the existing equations for bearing strength, and for the first time, quantify the rigidity of such connections. The effects on the design of bolted joints are described and it is shown how, by incorporating the proposed expressions, it is now possible to select the correct semirigid joint and achieve economy without having to resort to testing