Stress Distribution Study on Alum-Zinc C-Channel Steel with Multi-Bolted Connections: Numerical Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37134/bitara.vol19.sp.11.2026Keywords:
Finite Element Analysis, Stress Distribution, Multi-bolted Configuration, Alum-Zinc, AbaqusAbstract
This study employs Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using the ABAQUS software to investigate the stress distribution and structural performance of multi-bolted C-channel steel connections. Multi-bolted connections play a vital role in ensuring the strength and stability of steel structures, yet limited research has focused on the comparative behavior of staggered and non-staggered configurations. In this work, numerical models of C-channel plates with varying bolt numbers and arrangements were developed to evaluate tensile strength, stress distribution, and deformation patterns under a 10 kN tensile load. Material properties of aluminum-zinc (Alum-zinc) for the plates and steel for the bolts were applied and contact interactions were simulated to replicate realistic loading conditions. The analysis revealed that non-staggered bolt configurations exhibited superior load-bearing capacity and more efficient stress transfer, while staggered arrangements showed higher stress concentrations near bolt holes. Additionally, increasing the number of bolts enhanced structural performance, but also led to higher localized stresses. These findings provide valuable guidelines for optimizing bolt placement and quantity in C-channel connections. The study contributes to improving the reliability and safety of steel structures by offering practical recommendations for design optimization through numerical modelling.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Khairi Supar, Nur’Ain Idris, Hilton Ahmad, Kasbi Basri, Mohd Shafie Nemmang, Muhammad Fahmi Hasbullah
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