A Study of the Flexural Rigidity of Annular Flanged Connections

In order to analyze the vibration of a structure whose elements are connected with bolts, it is necessary to estimate the flexural rigidity of bolted connections. But, although a few papers have reported studies of flexural rigidity, a calculation method to estimate the flexural rigidity has remained unestablished. This paper deals with a calculation method to estimate the flexural rigidity of bolted annular flange connections subjected to an external bending moment. In the analysis, models for estimating the flexural rigidity Kb of bolts, and Kf of annular flanges are proposed, taking account of the dispersiveness of bolt disposition. Thus, a calculation method for obtaining whole flexural rigidity of bolted flange connections is proposed, using the values of Kb and Kf. For verification, experiments are performed under several conditions. Calculated results are in a fairly good agreement with experimental ones.