Damage Mechanics Simulation of Failure of Multi-Row Joints in Steel Constructions

Joints with screws or bolts are widely used in steel constructions. Often, such fasteners are placed in multiple rows. In such a multi-row arrangement the load bearing of individual fasteners is statically indeterminate, thus depending on mechanical behavior of fastener and basic material. The established assessment against static fail-ure is based on the simplifying assumption. Modern simulation methods offer an efficient alternative to expensive experimental investigations of such joints.
The scope of the work is to investigate, to what extent the accuracy of predicting plastic deformations and failure of multi-row joints can be improved using damage mechics simulations. Such simulations do not only incorporate plastic behavior but also local damage and material softening up to failure.