The mechanical behaviour of T-stubs with four bolts per row

In recent years, work has been dedicated to studying the behaviour of T-stubs with two bolts per row, which are covered in EN 1993-1-8:2005. Joints with four bolts per row are used in some cases, but they are not covered in the standards. The mechanical behaviour of a T-stub with four bolts per row was therefore analysed in this study, focusing on analysis of the evolution of the bolt forces and the prying force. The developed models were validated by comparing their results with experimental data. The parameters studied were the distances to the edges, the distance between the bolts and the position of the contact zone under the T-stub flange. Different measuring techniques were used to follow the displacement of the flange and the axial deformation of the bolts.