Bolted steel connection – failure by plate shear

FACT FILE

  • TYPICAL STEEL STRENGTH
    275 - 460 N/mm2
  • FAILURE MECHANISM
    Plate shear is one of three failure mechanisms of a bolted connection, see related resources to find out about the other two

Filmed at University College London.

This video shows a bolted connection where the connection plate fails in shear.

Gradually increasing deformation can be observed in the plate above the bolt. Immediately prior to failure, distinct ‘necking’ points can be seen as the plate experiences a local tension yield.