Experimental investigations on the load-bearing behaviour of the preloaded hybrid connection under variation of overlap length and number of bolts

Fatigue-loaded steel structures, such as bridges and thin-walled mechanically joined towers, are preferably executed with slip-resistant connections, as these exhibit high fatigue resistance due to their frictional load transmission. However, the transferable shear loads are limited by the slip factor and the preload level in the bolts. By additionally applying adhesive to the friction surfaces, the preloaded hybrid connection – in literature also called hybrid bonded bolted joint - is formed, resulting in a significant increase in load capacity while maintaining constant deformability. Based on experimental investigations, this paper expands existing knowledge regarding the influence of overlap length and the number of bolts in a row on the load-bearing behaviour of the preloaded hybrid connection.