SINGLE SHEAR BOLTED CONNECTIONS OF LIGHT GAUGE STEEL AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

The design formulas in the current specifications on bolted connections of light gauge steel for cold-formed steel structures are proposed based on ambient temperature tests. Investigations on this kind of connections at high temperatures are limited. In this study, a total of 73 single shear bolted connection specimens of G550 0.42mm and G450 1.90mm light gauge steel were tested in 7 different temperature levels range from 22 degrees C to 900 degrees C determined by the material coupon test results. Three failure modes were observed in the single shear bolted connection tests, namely the net section tension, bearing and tear out. The nominal strengths of bolted connections were calculated from the American, Australian/New Zealand and European specifications for cold-formed steel structures by using the reduced material properties at elevated temperatures, which were compared with the test results. The comparison shows that the strengths of the single shear bolted connections predicted by the specifications are generally conservative at elevated temperatures.