Test procedures and simulation model calibration strategies for nonlinear stiffness behavior of joints in large-scale structures

State-of-art models for mechanical joints in large scale structures typically consider only the linear behavior of the joint zones with lower complex approaches, such as rigid or elastic beams or a merge of opposite sheet metal nodes. In the present study several feasible methods to model nonlinear joint behavior and the connection between sheets and joint are investigated and evaluated. A preferred combination based on nonlinear springs was chosen, which meets the requirements for application in large scale structure models: low computation time, mesh independence and availability in several FEM software packages. For the calibration of the joint zone models a 2-point-tension-specimen was used. Five different joint types and the two sheet material combinations aluminium/aluminium as well as steel/steel were investigated. With the calibrated models a more complex 5-point-tension-specimen was used to consider the local interoperation of the joints. Some deviations were determined especially for highly stressed joint zones. Hence an average function was defined to consider both, the local deformations in the joint zone and additionally the more global sheet deformations. Finally, the simplified joint models were used in a complex specimen model with 22 joints. The comparisons between experimentally and numerically determined results show a good accordance. The nonlinear joint behavior is captured very well. A method is presented, which uses 2-point-specimens to calibrate simplified joint models with nonlinear deformation characteristics. The efficient application in large scale structure models is possible due to simplicity, stability, low computation times and mesh independent implementation.