Shear capacity of additive-manufactured stainless-steel single-lap bolted connections

Advancements in additive manufacturing technology, notably for its efficiency, accuracy, automation, and streamlined procedures, are increasingly relevant in civil engineering. This study evaluates the mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel bolted connections fabricated using Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing. Eleven single-lap bolted connection specimens were tested under monotonic loading to assess the influence of various factors, including plate thickness, manufacturing direction, bolt end and edge distances, and bolt quantity, on the connections' anti-sliding and shear capacities. Material tests conducted prior to the connection tests revealed that PBF-manufactured stainless steel plates possess higher yield and ultimate strength, as well as greater elongation capacity, compared to traditional stainless steel plates. The connection tests indicated that the anti-sliding coefficient values range from 0.348 to 0.698, aligning with current standards for stainless steel bolted connections. Three distinct failure modes were identified: net section failure in the stainless-steel plate, bolt shear failure, and plate shear failure. It was determined that existing standards for anti-sliding capacity may not be entirely applicable to PBF-manufactured connections. Therefore, a modified model for the anti-sliding capacity of these connections is proposed. Additionally, a more accurate formula for calculating their shear capacity, which addresses the oversight of friction forces in current standards, is introduced.