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Bursi1997 Benchmark
Bursi1997 Benchmark
Bursi1997 Benchmark
17-42, 1997
© 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Printed in Great Britain
PII: S0143-974X(97)~31-X 0143-974X/97 $17.00 + 0.00
ELSEVIER
ABSTRACT
This paper presents part of the results of a study devoted to the analysis of
bolted steel connections by means of finite elements. In detail, the paper
introduces elementary tee stub connections which are endowed with different
plastic failure mechanisms and can be adopted as benchmarks in the vali-
dation process of finite element software packages. Moreover, the simulations
of these benchmarks performed by means of bricks as well as contact
elements allow the properties and results of these elements to be commented
upon. Finally, the comparison between computed and measured values per-
mits the effectiveness and degree of accuracy of the proposed fnite element
models to be mirrored. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
1 INTRODUCTION
17
18 0. S. Bursi, J. P. Jaspart
Nowadays, latest generation research and commercial finite element codes are
capable of simulating almost all the complex phenomena mentioned above.
However, difficulties still remain for the numerical analyst who has to choose
appropriate finite element models able to provide an accurate representation
of the physics at the lowest computational cost. Choice of mesh, node number,
integration point number through the element thickness and time-step size for
constitutive law integration depend upon resources, problem, geometry, type
of loading and required accuracy [16].
To shed light on these problems, elementary nonpreloaded and preloaded
tee stub connections tested by Jaspart [17] and Bursi [18] are presented in
this first paper and are proposed as benchmarks in the validation process of
finite element software packages. Moreover, these benchmarks are simulated
in a large displacement, large rotation and large deformation regime with the
LAGAMINE software package [5], by means of bricks [19] as well as contact
elements [20]. The choice of these elements as well as germane aspects are
commented upon and the numerical results are finally compared to the experi-
mental ones, thus assessing the reliability of the finite element models.
The second follow-up paper [6] initially describes a calibration phase in
which specific elements of the ABAQUS library [8] are chosen on the basis
of test data as well as LAGAMINE [5] simulations. Then, additional simula-
tions are performed to validate an assemblage of beam elements, labelled
spin, which is intended to reproduce in a simple yet accurate manner the bolt
20 O. S. Bursi, J. P. Jaspart
behaviour. Finally, the ABAQUS [7] code is used to simulate the elastic-
plastic behaviour of realistic end plate connections to the ultimate limit state.
The comparison between computed and reference values in each phase mirrors
the effectiveness and degree of accuracy of the proposed finite element
models.
IPE300 7.1
BO~L~NI2
8.8 L = 55
0
L
30,_ 90 30_
IoHo0 0
we220B~9.6 i
I
8.8 L : 45
0 90 ,30,_
0 0
I~ 16o j
Fig. 1. Test specimens: (a) tee stub connection TI; (b) tee stub connection T2.
22 O. S. Bursi, J. P. Jaspart
TF TF
MODE1 MODE2
FAILURE FAILURE
(a) (b)
Fig. 2. Failure modes of tee stub components according to EC3 [4]: (a) mode 1 pattern; (b)
mode 2 pattern.
TABLE1
Ch~acteristicsofTeeStubs
Fig. 3(a) also shows the F - A d relationship predicted by Eurocode 3 for the
nonpreloaded specimen [4]. The initial stiffness and the plastic failure load
are predicted with good accuracy, but the inherent simplifications of the
model, which disregard strain hardening and membrane effects, do not permit
a complete agreement between predicted and test data.
The corresponding load-displacement (F-Ad) responses for specimens T2
Benchmarks for modelling of bolted connections 23
TABLE 2
Characteristics of Bolts
are plotted in Fig. 3(b) (see Fig. l(b) for a definition of d). Both nonpreloaded
and preloaded specimens failed according to mode 2 of Eurocode 3 [4] (see
Fig. 2(b)), in which collapse is characterized by bolt fracture as well as flange
yielding. However, both tests showed some bolts subjected to thread stripping,
which triggered unloading phenomena in the inelastic range. As a result of
these combined phenomena, specimen displacement ductilities were some-
what limited.
Even for these tests, Fig. 3(b) reports the relationship predicted by Eurocode
3 [4] for the nonpreloaded specimen. Anew, both the initial stiffness and the
plastic failure load are predicted with good accuracy, but the model is unable
to capture the response evolution relative to the nonpreloaded specimen.
250
200 -
150 -
,/
r',,
<C
o
100 -
250
200 -
it
I
I
lS0 -
z I
!
q
100
50
EC3 PREDICTION
PRELOADED TEE STUB
NON-PRELOADEDTEE STUE
i
I ' t ' I '
0 4 8 12 16
DISPLACEMENT (mm)
(b)
Fig. 3. Experimental and predicted relative displacement Ad vs load F: (a) test TI ; (b) test
T2.
Benchmarks for modelling of bolted connections 25
the stiffness matrix. Thus, its optimum value is traced when there is only a
slight change in the results for an additional increase of the penalty parameter,
or when the penetration reaches limited values. As an alternative, the contact
condition could be enforced exactly by means of Lagrange multiplier tech-
niques, which do not require a p r i o r i user-defined parameters [22]. The sliding
and sticking conditions between bodies are reproduced with a classical iso-
tropic Coulomb friction law which appears to be very suitable for steel
elements [20].
The kinematic descriptions of solid [19] and contact elements [20] for geo-
metrically nonlinear finite element analyses are based on an updated Lagrang-
ian Jaumann (ULJ) and a co-rotational (CR) formulation, respectively. In the
ULJ formulation, the last target configuration, once reached, becomes the next
reference configuration. Strain and stresses are redefined as soon as the refer-
ence configuration is updated [16]. Obviously, the equations in the ULJ
description are much simpler than those in the total Lagrangian description
(TLD) because all the nonlinear contributions of the discretized displacement
field vanish. In the CR formulation, two reference configurations are adopted.
Strains are measured from the co-rotated configuration whereas the base con-
figuration is maintained as reference for measuring rigid body motions. With
these descriptions, the analyses can be performed with large displacements,
large rotations and large strains. These features of LAGAMINE appear very
suitable to tracing membrane effects in thin connecting elements.
In a large deformation analysis, appropriate strain and stress measures have
to be adopted in order to deal with a continuous change of both configuration
and volume of the body. Thus, the velocity strain and the Jaumann stress rate
[23], which are conjugate in a virtual work sense, are used in the brick element
formulation [19]. On the other hand, the CR formulation requires the rate of
deformation and both the normal and tangential contact stresses as energeti-
cally conjugate strain-stress measures [20].
Loads are applied to the specimen in a displacement-control fashion, con-
trary to the classical load-control procedure. Indeed, the first type of control
enforces a better conditioning of the tangent stiffness matrix and, as a result,
a faster convergence. In addition, the stiffness matrix does not become singular
at limit points. Finally, the iteration procedure is based on Newton-Raphson
iterations which are performed within each increment to achieve a quadratic
convergence.
To gain insight into the performance of the aforementioned solid and contact
elements as a function of spatial discretization [5], two simple bending-domi-
nated model problems have been analyzed by Li [24]. In detail, a clamped
Benchmarks for modelling of bolted connections 27
and a simply supported beam were considered. The comparisons are perfor-
med with the benchmark provided by Jetteur and Cescotto [25], which exam-
ined the same problem in plain strain with a 2D element, labelled JET2D.
The material properties adopted in the simulations are E = 2 x l05 N/mm 2, v
= 0.3, f y = 400 N / m m 2 and a strain-hardening modulus E r = 0.1 N/mm 2. The
loading is applied by imposing a deflection at the beam centre as shown in
Fig. 4(a). The length L of the beam, equal to 600 mm, is fixed and discretized
by means of 24 elements. The depth, labelled H, is discretized by means of
one, two, three, five and eight elements. Each element embodies one Gauss
integration point and lateral constraints transform the 3D problem into a plain-
strain problem. Two ratios L/H equal to 10 and 30 are examined respectively,
to capture the slenderness influence. Both the undeformed and deformed beam
configurations are shown in Fig. 4(a).
L/2=300
I
Ht IIIIIIIIIIIII , I f , I, ,I ,I , ,I ,I , I, ,I ,I , I, ,I ,I , I, [ I I I I I I
,,
1 • 24 ELEMENTS 2 • 24 ELEMENTS
I I I I ] I f I I I I I [
3 • 24 ELEMENTS
i i i i i i i ~ i i i i i i i i ! ! ! ) ! ) . .! , :: ! i,,, i i : i, , i~ , i , i i i
5• 24 ELEMENTS ~v ~
(a)
2OOO
A
Z Z
i 4000. I--
D~
1o00
20OO--
'~ s
IMPOSED DEFLECTION
(a)
140
i
14--
120 - -
12
100
A I0--
Z z
80--
40-
JET2D (21"8) "'".-...! - - JET2D (21"6}
(b) (c)
Fig. 5. Simply supported beam with an imposed central deflection [24]: (a) FE idealizations;
(b) simulations for a slenderness ratio L/H = 10; (c) simulations for a slenderness ratio L/H
-- 30.
Benchmarks for modelling of bolted connections 29
EA b B EAs
(~)
KI + 2K4 - Alb -- Lerf
in which Ab and As indicate the gross cross-section and the tensile stress area,
respectively, B and A/b define the bolt force and the corresponding bolt elong-
ation, whilst the effective length Leff is unknown. K~ and K4 are parameters
which can be obtained readily from the bolt geometry shown in Fig. 6. In
detail, the following relations hold:
By noting that the threaded part of the bolt shank triggers tensile yielding and
failure, the bolt shank is reproduced with a cylinder of cross-sectional area
As. With this assumption, Left-can be obtained readily from eqn (1).
30 O. S. Bursi, J. P. ]aspart
tn [w
I vv I, H I
2
tt I I I II
I
tel
!
!
!
Ls !
! < re2
I
[w
Ih
L_ 2
5fy 7
Bs - rz-_ p'n'dlz (3)
6 8
in which d~ represents the kernel diameter and ~ defines the effective shear
area ratio. If By = fyA s denotes the bolt yield load in tension, one obtains Bs
= 0.83By and Bs = 1.66By for z = 3 and z = 6, respectively [27]. As a result,
an overestimation of the ultimate load can be expected from the finite element
model when simulating the T2 specimens.
The finite element models adopted to reproduce a quarter of the tee stub con-
nections reflect the assumptions and conclusions derived in previous sections.
They are mirrored in Fig. 7(a) and (b) for the specimens T1 and T2, respect-
ively. The models embody three elements along the thickness, whilst elements
are concentrated in the flange zone close to the web. There, high stresses and
Benchmarks for modelling of bolted connections 31
(a) (b)
Fig. 7. FE idealization of tee stub connections: (a) undeformed mesh of specimen T1; (b)
undeformed mesh of specimen T2.
strain discontinuities, i.e. yield lines, are likely to occur. It must be observed
that in specimens T2 washers were located only on the nuts due to the short
bolt length adopted (see Fig. l(b)). No friction has been assumed between the
bottom flange and the rigid foundation because of the specimen symmetric
behaviour. However, a friction coefficient/x = 0.25 has been adopted at the
bolt head-flange interface. As mentioned in a previous section, the bolt head
embodies the washer in specimen T1 and its shank includes the flexibility
effects of both the threaded part and the nut. Preloading forces are applied as
initial stresses in the bolts.
In order to perform realistic simulations, material data for flanges, webs
and bolt shanks, collected in Tables 1 and 2, are reproduced with piecewise
linear constitutive laws of the type shown in Fig. 8. The plot of Fig. 8(a),
which is relevant to specimens T1, represents conventional strains and nominal
stresses defined as change in length per unit initial length and axial force per
unit initial area of the cross-section, respectively. Because the LAGAMINE
code operates in a large deformation setting, natural strain-true stress curves
32 0. S. Bursi, J. P. ]aspart
1000
i
- - LANo, / [-.......
A
f WEB
BOLT SHANK
BOLT SHANK
~, 800-
400 - -
200 -
0
[ I ' I o I '- I I '
0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0 40 0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40
C O N V E N T I O N A L STRAIN N A T U R A L STRAIN
(a) (b)
Fig. 8. Piecewise linear stress-strain relationships of tee stub TI: (a) nominal law; (b) true
law.
are required for a proper definition of the uniaxial material response [16].
These quantities, which are defined with respect to the current value of length
and cross-sectional area, respectively, can be obtained from the following
equations:
4.1 T1 specimens
Finite element analyses covered all specimens. However, for the sake of brev-
ity, the results are described accurately for preloaded specimens only in the
remainder of this section.
The displacement field at the plastic failure state traced by the finite element
analysis is shown in Fig. 9(a) for the preloaded specimen T1. One can observe
how the model is able to reproduce the flange kinematics and the relative
movement between flange and bolt head. The corresponding distribution of
von Mises equivalent stresses is reported in Fig. 9(b). The large stress fields
in the flange near the bolt hole and close to the radius of the fillet identify
two yield lines which govern the kinematic mechanism observed at yielding.
This failure mechanism agrees with the one predicted by Eurocode 3 and
shown schematically in Fig. 2(a). The accuracy of the finite element model
can be quantified by superimposing the computed load-displacement (F-Ad)
(N/ram
400 II
320 II
240 II
160 II
8o ~
(a) (b)
Fig. 9. Preloaded tee stub TI at the plastic failure state: (a) displacement field; (b) von Mises
equivalent stress field.
34 O. S. Bursi, J. P. Jaspart
relationships upon the measured one, as shown in Fig. 10. In particular, the
two simulations refer to the adoption of the conventional strain-nominal stress
law (see Fig. 8(a)) and the natural strain-true stress law (Fig. 8(b)), respect-
ively. From the comparison one can observe the good accuracy of both simula-
tions. Only some discrepancies are evident at the onset of yielding, owing to
residual stress effects which determine a more gradual plastification of the
specimen and which are disregarded in the model. As expected, the simulation
based on the natural strain-true stress law is slightly more accurate in the
inelastic range. However, the specimen zone subjected to large deformations
is somewhat limited and, thereby, only the results based on the conventional
strain-nominal stress law are commented upon.
Once the finite element model is proved to be reliable, it can be used to
generate information which cannot be provided from actual tests, because
bolted connections appear to be highly redundant and confined physical sys-
tems. As an example, remarkable data can be obtained by plotting contact
pressures developed between tee stub flanges. Fig. 11 mirrors the normal
pressure distribution at the plastic failure state in the external zone of the tee
stub. This distribution can be used to quantify the location and amplitude of
prying forces.
The model can also provide detailed information on bolt behaviour. The
evolution of von Mises stresses in each bolt and washer can be observed both
at the preloaded state and at the plastic failure state of the tee stub in Fig. 12(a)
and (b), respectively. Yielding can be observed in the bolt shank, pointing out
that bolts participated in the plastic failure mechanism too. In addition, from
Fig. 12(b) one can observe the stress level which affects the washers.
The simulation relating the bolt axial force vs the applied total force is
plotted in Fig. 13. From this relationship one can trace the evolution of the
f PRELOADED TEE-STUB T1
50- [- -- ~ A L
4 e 12 16
DISPLACEMENT (ram)
Fig. 10. Experimental and predicted relative displacement At/vs load F of the preloaded tee
stub T1.
Benchmarks for modelling of bolted connections 35
80
4-8
32
16 1
o [---~
Fig. 11. Normal pressure distribution at the plastic failure state of the preloaded tee stub T1.
4.2 T2 specimens
In the sequel, for brevity, only a few results relevant to the preloaded specimen
are commented upon.
Also for these specimens material data collected in Tables 1 and 2 for
flanges, webs and bolt shanks are reproduced with piecewise linear constitut-
ive laws. In detail, the plot of Fig. 15(a) represents conventional strains and
nominal stresses, whilst the corresponding true stress-natural strain relation-
ships converted by means of eqn (4) are represented in Fig. 15(b).
The displacement field at the plastic failure state for the preloaded tee stub
connection T2, which is endowed with a flange thickness tp = 16 mm (see
Table 1), is illustrated in Fig. 16(a). One can observe how the LAGAMINE
code is able to reproduce the displacement field characterized by relatively
small displacements [18]. The corresponding stress field which comprises
large von Mises equivalent stresses in the tee stub flange and web can be
36 O. S. Bursi, J. P. Jaspart
~q (N/ram~)
800 II
64o m
480
320 /
160 |
o7-1
cr~ (N/nnn 2)
960 •
800
640
480
320
160
Fig. 12. yon Mises equivalent stress ficld of bolt in the preloadcd tec stub Tl : (a) prcloaded
state; (b) plastic failure state.
Benchmarks for modelling of bolted connections 37
125
Z 75-
J
q
~o-
25--
PRELOADED TEE-~TUB T1 1
I NUMERICAL
(LAGAMiNE))
I ~ I I I
50 100 150 200 250
LOAD (kN)
Fig. 13. Bolt axial force vs total force F of the preloaded tee stub T1.
AOEOT ESTO. T,
I
l : iii?iii?i::::
I ' I
4 8 12 16
DISPLACEMENT(rnrn)
Fig. 14. Experimental and predicted relative displacement Ad vs load F of the nonpreloaded
tee stub T I.
observed in Fig. 16(b). By examining the stress level, one can recognize the
yield line in the flange close to the web. The load--displacement (F-Ad)
relationships engendered by the model are superimposed upon the correspond-
ing experimental curve in Fig. 17. Even in this case, the displacement evol-
ution of the specimen is captured with good accuracy. However, some discrep-
ancies can be observed in strength values because the bolt model cannot
reproduce the bolt stripping failure.
Finally, the comparison between computed and measured values for the
load-displacement relationship of the nonpreloaded specimen is illustrated in
Fig. 18. A satisfactory degree of accuracy is reached by the model. Neverthe-
less, the effects of bolt stripping as well as residual stresses play an important
role in the discrepancy between predicted and measured strength values.
38 O. S. Bursi, J. P. Jaspart
~CONSTITUTIVE L A w S
FOR SPECIMEN T2
i. . . . . FLANGE
-- -- -- WEB
,=.,
eoo -
200
0
I I I
0.10 0.20 0.30
CONVENTIONAL STRAIN
(a)
1200
C O N S T I T U T N E LAWS~
FOR SPECIMEN T 2
.... FLANGE
800
/ -- -- -- WEB
BOLT SHANK
==
60O--
40O-
0 I I I
ooo O.lO 0.20 0.30 0.40
N A T U R A L STRAIN
(b)
Fig. 15. Piecewise linear stress-strain relationships of tee stub T2: (a) nominal law; (b) true
law.
5 CONCLUSIONS
Part of the results of a study devoted to the analysis of bolted steel connections
by means of finite elements have been presented in this paper. Initially, two
elementary tee stub connections have been proposed as benchmarks in the
validation process of finite element software packages for bolted connections.
Then, a rational approach that leads to an accurate simulation of these connec-
tions by means of a three-dimensional finite element model has been sug-
gested. The model which has been set by means of the LAGAMINE software
package has been able to reproduce many of the characteristic phenomena
embodied in bolted connections. The comparison between computed and mea-
sured values in each phase has highlighted the effectiveness and degree of
Benchmarks for modelling of bolted connections 39
(N m 2)
250
200
150
100
50@
~a~ ( o
F-1
Fig. 16. Preloaded tee stub T2 at the plastic failure state: (a) displacement field; (b) von Mises
equivalent stress field.
150 -
lOO-
PRELOADED TEE-STUB T2 1
50
0 I
2
L
- - -
-
I
4
EXPERBENTAL
NUMERICAL NOMINAL LAY
DISPLACEMENT (mm)
-
Fig. 17. Experimental and predicted relative displacement Ad vs load F of the preloaded tee
stub T2.
accuracy of the proposed finite element models. The findings obtained in this
study are adopted in a second follow-up paper [6], in which a simplified
three-dimensional finite element model is set to reproduce the elastic-plastic
behaviour of bolted end plate connections by means of the A B A Q U S code.
40 O. S. Bursi, J. P. Jaspart
~ 15o-
50 -
0 I
_•_ i PRELOADED TEE-STUB "1"2
I
EXPERIMENTAL
NUMERICAL - NOMINAL LAW
NUMERICAL - TRUE LAW
P
2 4 6
DISPLACEMENT {mrn)
Fig. 18. Experimental and predicted relative displacement Ad vs load F of the nonpreloaded
tee stub T2.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The work reported in this paper is granted by MURST of Italy. Specific sup-
port to the University of Trento and Liege is also provided by the SPRINT
Contract RA 351 financed project 'Steel and Composite Building Frames
using Semi-Rigid Connections: From Research to Design Practice'. The find-
ings, observations and conclusions in this paper are, however, those of the
writers. The skilful work of Dominique Hanikenne, Luca Leonelli, Franqoise
Taquet and the technical staff of the Testing Laboratories is greatly appreci-
ated.
REFERENCES
1. Technical Work Group 8.2, Analysis and design of steel frames with semi-rigid
joints. European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS), Brussels, Vol.
67, 1992.
2. AISC, Manual of Steel Construction--Load and Resistance Factor Design, 1st
edn. American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), Chicago, IL, 1986.
3. Eurocode 3, ENV 1993-1-1, Design of steel structures, Part 1.1: general rules
and rules for buildings. CEN, Brussels, 1992.
4. Eurocode 3, ENV 1993-1-1/pr A2, New revised Annex J: joints in building
frames. CEN, Brussels, 1994.
5. Cescotto, S., Habraken, A.-M., Radu, J.-P. and Charlier, R., Some recent develop-
ments in computer simulations of metal forming processes. Proceedings of the
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Krakow-Rytro, Poland, 1989, pp. 19-52.
6. Bursi, O. S. and Jaspart, J. P., Calibration of a finite element model for isolated
Benchmarks for modelling of bolted connections 41
25. Jetteur, P. and Cescotto, S., A mixed finite element for the analysis of large
inelastic strains. International Journal of Numerical Methods in Engineering,
1991, 31, 229-239.
26. Agerskov, H., High-strength bolted connections subject to prying. Journal of
Structural Engineering Division, ASCE, 1976, 102(1), 161-175.
27. Giovannozzi, R., Costruzioni di Macchine, 1986, 1, Patron.
28. ISO 262-ISO General Purpose Metric Screw Threads--Selected Sizes for Screws,
Bolts and Nuts, 1973.
29. Malvern, L. E., Introduction to the Mechanics of a Continuous Medium. Prentice-
Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1969.