EFFECT OF BOLT SLIPPAGE ON ULTIMATE BEHAVIOR OF LATTICE STRUCTURES

This paper investigates theoretically the effect of bolt slippage on t he deflection and ultimate-strength responses of lattice structures. F or the purpose of this study, two idealized bolt-slippage models are p resented. The effect of bolt slippage was incorporated into the previo usly developed nonlinear finite element computer program, AK TOWER, by Al-Bermani and Kitipornchai, in 1992. Two lattice structures are used to study the influence of bolt slippage. Results of this study illust rate that while the slippage of bolts may have some effect on deflecti on, it docs not significantly influence the ultimate strength of latti ce structures.