This thesis presents a parametric study of bolted lap connections. The study investigates the influence of misalignments in bolt hole position on the mechanical behaviour of bolted lap connections with varying geometric properties and material properties of steel plates (steel grades S355 and S960) and bolts (grades 5.6 and 10.9). The joint responses evaluated in the parametric study were obtained from simulations performed using numerical models in Abaqus. A detailed description of the procedures used for model development and verification of model behaviour is therefore included in the document. The results show that misalignments in bolt hole position can have significant effects on joint resistance. An interesting pattern was also observed in the parametric study results, where resistance decreases significantly in joints with higher ratios of bolt diameter to plate thickness.
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