<p>The objective of this study is to analyze the vibration characteristics of bolted cantilever plates using the artificial spring model that accounts for pressure distribution. The dynamic governing equations for a bolted cantilever plate are derived based on the first-order shear deformation theory, with displacement fields represented by Chebyshev polynomials and numerically solved using the Rayleigh–Ritz method. The proposed artificial spring model incorporates non-uniform pressure distribution resulting from bolt preload. The bolted joint contact region is represented by constant stiffness springs, while the bolted joint affected region is characterized by a sinusoidal stiffness variation. The vibration characteristics of the bolted joint plate are systematically investigated through comprehensive case studies and experimental modal analysis. Numerical results demonstrate good agreement between the predicted vibration characteristics and the experimental measurements, with maximum frequency errors below 5 %. Parametric analysis demonstrates that the system’s modal frequencies exhibit sensitivity to four bolt parameters: installation configuration, bolt span, bolt number, and bolt head diameter. The proposed model advances conventional linear spring modeling approaches by integrating contact pressure distribution, thereby improving the predictive accuracy of the vibration characteristics of bolted cantilever plates.</p>