Numerical and experimental analysis of structural damping for bolted splice connection joint

Abstract

This paper presents the finite element modeling of bolted joints for structural dynamic analysis to achieve a reasonable accuracy in simulation results. Non-linear effects in splice connected joints involve normal compressive loads holding components together combined with dynamic lateral loads inducing some amount of shear slip in contact interaction between elements of splice connection joint. The complexities of the slip process are responsible for the nonlinear nature of the interfaces, both in terms of stiffness and dissipation. Exploring the physics of joints directly is not readily done because key interactions takes place at the interface of surfaces, where instrumentation cannot be placed without changing the problem. Consequences of the specific conditions of joint connections are increased dynamic problems related to vibrations and dissipative processes in structure connection joints. Structural joints are the main reason for the significant level of energy dissipation and source of structural damping. The aim of this paper is to present some problems regarding research of structural damping and the importance of study Contact Mechanics to better understand the problem of structural damping.