Twenty specimens of alloys 6061-T6 and 6063-T5 were tested, with screw diameter and end distance as testing parameters. Ultimate bearing capacities of the bolted joints were obtained, as well as the relationship between applied load and deformation of bolt hole. Corresponding numerical simulation was implemented on the basis of finite element(FE) model set up by ANSYS software. The accuracy of the FE model was verified with respect to the perfect agreement between test results and those predicted by numerical simulation. The contribution of end distance, pretension and friction coefficient to the bearing capacity of bolted joints was elaborated. Eventually, a new computational formula for bearing capacity of bolted joint for aluminum alloy sheets was proposed.
