Application of model updating techniques in statics to the identification of the stiffness of bolted joints in pultruded profiles

Abstract

Model updating techniques with static data have been applied to identifying the stiffness of bolted joints for pultruded profiles used in civil construction. The real behavior of the joints in pultruded framed structures is semi-rigid, which will influence the mechanical response of the structure as a whole. By modifying the design variables of the numerical model (stiffnesses joints), a problem of parametric identification can be formulated. Unknown stiffnesses are identified by a technique of model updating from static tests, based on the minimization of the residuals of static deformed shape, which express the distance of the static response between theoretical model and real structure. Results obtained by experimental tests show the efficiency of the proposed technique. Keywords: composite materials, pultruded profiles, bolted joints, optimization, static deformed shape.