Mechanical behaviour of bolt-channel joining technology for aluminium structures

The wide choice of cross-sectional shapes obtainable by extrusion process provides the possibility to individuate new joining solutions for aluminium profiles. The achievable joining technologies are very competitive with respect to conventional solutions, because of the possibility of rapid execution, optimization of parent material, treatments and machining reduction. For these reasons, the aluminium industry is very interested to enhance the knowledge about the structural behaviour of these joint systems. Bolt channel joints are one of the possible technologies that entail the advantage of the extrusion shapes for joining aluminium elements. The system consists of a track or channel section profile where a bolt head, nuts or plates with threaded holes can be located. Bolt-channel joints are commonly used in building applications and in transportation structures. Nevertheless, very little literature is available for this system and no specifications are provided by aluminium structural codes. In order to evaluate the structural behaviour of bolt-channel joints, an experimental campaign has been carried out at University ‘‘Federico II’’ of Naples. Two different cross-sections corresponding to different bolt diameters have been selected and three different load directions have been considered. The obtained experimental results have been used for the calibration of non-linear numerical models.