Bolted sleeve joints for connecting pultruded FRP tubular components

This paper investigates bolted sleeve joints for connecting tubular pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sections in tubular structures such as space frames. In the proposed joint, FRP profile and steel connector are telescoped and then clamped by mechanical bolts. Four batches of specimens were prepared and tested under static axial loading (tension and compression). Design parameters, namely the type of fastener (ordinary bolt or blind bolt), member size, and bolt group layout, were selected and examined. During experiments, failure modes, load-displacement and load-strain relationships were recorded to evaluate the joint performance. A staggered pattern within a bolted sleeve joint had a negligible effect on the load distribution compared with a nonstaggered pattern. The study showed that the joint capacity could be optimized effectively by adjusting the joint geometry. When blind bolts are used, a compromise between ease of cavity fixing and joint performance must be noted. Finally, a simple analytical design model was proposed to estimate the joint capacity.