Experimental results for topologically optimised steel joints under tension

Developments on code-compliant Topology Optimisation methodologies for the steel construction industry have recently been proposed. Also, it has been found that topologically optimised steel bolted connection parts – which behave non-linearly to a very significant degree of damage – do not waive physically non-linear analyses to assess an ultimate capacity that can be lower than what is predicted by the optimisation procedure linear analyses. These two circumstances brought urgency to the experimental testing of such optimised parts. The herein depicted experimental programme assessed topologically optimised and previously numerically analysed bolted parts of a well-known steel connection. The results allowed redefining the material trilinear model to be used in further numerical analysis and, very significantly, validated the numerical simulations results as well as the application of Eurocode formulae for connections component resistance. The difference between the previous numerically predicted ultimate resistance and the experimentally defined did not exceed 2.6 %. •A well-known steel bolted connection is topologically optimised and manufactured.•Prototypes of the optimised bolted steel connection are experimentally tested.•The difference between numerical and experimental findings did not exceed 2.6 %.•Results allowed redefining material trilinear model for further numerical analysis.