Fatigue Verification of Bearing Type Connections in Steel Structures using a Modified Nominal Stress Approach

Abstract

This paper presents results of new fatigue tests on bearing type connections where the material strength of the component, the geometrical dimensions of the components (double covered symmetrical joint with variation of end and edge distances), surface condition (hot‐dip galvanisation and blast cleaning) and hole manufacturing method were systematically varied to determine their effects on fatigue resistance. Based on the comparison of the S‐N curves (nominal stresses) from statistical evaluation with S‐N curve according to the design proposal (synthetic S‐N curve by the effective notch stress concept for non‐welded components) the deficits of the existing design rules according to DIN EN 1993‐1‐9 and FprEN 1993‐1‐9 are highlighted. The new design proposal considers the material strength of the structural steel, notch effect from joint configuration depending on the geometrical dimensions of the components, surface conditions, and hole manufacturing methods in a modified nominal stress approach according to DIN EN 1993‐1‐9.