The effect of frictional contact properties on intermeshed steel connections

Modern built environment and infrastructure rely heavily on the use of steel structures. New manufacturing capabilities offer the potential to develop faster and more cost-effective connection methods for these structures, such as multi-storey steel buildings, potentially providing savings in weight, time and cost. To achieve these savings, improved construction efficiency and heightened material reuse, computer-controlled advanced manufacturing techniques in laser cutting enables the development of connections whose behaviour relies on the interlocking and friction between steel components. This paper presents the numerical modelling and experimental testing of a steel plate in direct tension; incorporating an intermeshed connection. A series of experimental tests were performed to capture the behaviour and failure modes of the steel plate connection under tension.The full load-displacement responses of the connection specimens were recorded and are presented and discussed here. A 2D finite element (FE) modelling programme was performed in parallel with the experimental study using the ABAQUS structural analysis software. The 2D FE model accounts for material and geometric non-linearity, large deformation and contact behaviour. Once the model was calibrated and validated against the experimental results, a parametric study was carried out to further investigate the influence of individual key parameters, focusing on the friction coefficient between the surfaces of the connections in contact and including variation of the plate thickness. This parametric study was performed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the behaviour of the intermeshed steel plate connections in tension.