If I was faced with the situation, I would begin with a transverse shear calculation to determine the shear on the fasteners. The geometry is not that complicated. Then you can compare the results to your fea results to see if you are in the neighborhood. At that point you might have no choice...
I have two pieces of square steel tubing intersecting in a T configuration. They are connected together by four bolts and two gussets on either sides of the hss tubes. I am curious about how to calculate the bearing stress of the fastener threads into the tubing walls because the tubing is...
I am in the process of designing something that is known as a mud gate (dump gate). It is a quick opening in the rear of a pressure vessel. It is actuated using a hydraulic cylinder but it must be bolted shut if the vessel is transporting a dangerous good. I need a bolting system that can swing...