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This paper presents the behaviour and design procedure of bolted connections which tend to be sensitive to block shear failure. The finite element method is employed to examine the block shear failure. The research-oriented finite element method (RFEM) model is validated with the results of experimental tests. The validated model is used to verify the component-based FEM (CBFEM) model, which combines the analysis of internal forces by the finite element method and design of plates, bolts and welds by the component method (CM). The CBFEM model is verified by an analytical solution based on existing formulas. The method is developed for the design of generally loaded complicated joints, where the distribution of internal forces is complex. The resistance of the steel plates is controlled by limiting the plastic strain of plates and the strength of connectors, e.g., welds, bolts and anchor bolts. The design of plates at a post-critical stage is available to allow local buckling of slender plates. The prediction of the initial stiffness and the deformation capacity is included natively. Finally, a sensitivity study is prepared. The studied parameters include gusset plate thickness and pitch distance.

In general, today two types of launching bearings are used in the construction of large steel and steel concrete composite bridges, sliding rockers and systems with hydraulic bearings. During incremental launching, the center of the webs of the superstructure is not perfectly in line with the center of the launching bearings due to unavoidable tolerances. The advantages and disadvantages of the respective systems are under discussion. At the Technical University Munich, large-scale buckling tests were carried out on longitudinally stiffened plates under biaxial stresses with different types of launching bearings and eccentric load introduction. In this paper the test results as well as differences of the respective systems are presented. Based on experimental results, a numerical model is validated. The test results as well as the results from the validated numerical model demonstrate the influence on the buckling behaviour from different types of launching bearings.