Bolted circular flange connections under static bending moment and axial force

The available design rules to evaluate the force distributions in the tension and the compression parts of bolted circular flange connections under bending moment and axial are often based on the beam theory which is not adequate. The aim of this paper is to propose an analytical model for the calculation of the static resistance of bolted circular flange connections subjected to a combined bending moment and an axial force considering the influence of the joint ductility. An analytical model is also proposed to evaluate the stiffness of the tensile and the compressive parts of the connection and thus its initial rotational stiffness. The results obtained via the proposed analytical model are compared favourably against experimental tests and numerical simulations.