Numerical modelling of the contact problem on the end-plate connections of the steel structures

This paper presents method, procedure and the developed mechanism for experimental determination of the F-Δ diagram for high strength bolts with 10.9 class of strength, which are used in the end-plate connections of the steel structures. The F-Δ diagram is essential as an input parameter for the “SOFISTIK” software package users, and for the real numerical modelling of contact problems in the end-plate connections of the steel structures and obtaining the M-F diagram using FEM. It as well presents the comparison between the numerical method obtained from the M-F diagram and the M- F diagram obtained from EUROCODE 3 under the given rules within the procedure.