Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea ISSN:1229-3059(Print) 2287-2302(Online) 한국전산구조공학회 논문집

In this study, we investigated the behavior characteristics of the L-type flange bolt connection, which is used to connect upper and lower flanges having L-type ring sections, by bolts. This connection is mainly used in domestic wind turbine structures, wherein it is a vital component as any imperfection could cause the collapse of the entire structural system. Therefore, understanding the behavior characteristics of the L-type flange bolt connection is imperative. In this study, the connection’s response to external force was simulated using finite element (FE) analysis and the FE model was idealized to behave as a single L-type bolt flange. The variation in the bolt tension and the L-type flange stress were analyzed to understand the behavior characteristics of the connection. Moreover, the bolt-load function models proposed by Petersen, Schmidt/Neuper and VDI 2230, theoretically expressing a relation between bolt tension and external force, were compared to evaluate the suitability of the FE analysis and analyze the significant behavior characteristics of the connection. Furthermore, the changes in the bolt-load curve due to the variations in the partial dimensions of the L-type flange bolt connection were analyzed.