Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi)

Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering Yr. 2 (PTE)

Department of Construction Bolted Connection

Laboratory Test Report
Experiment: Bolted Connection Test
Expected Duration: 1 Hour
A. Objective:
1. To appreciate the structural behavior of a steel splice bolted connection under
tensile load.
2. To observe the behavior and failure mode of three different connection set-ups.
3. To obtain experimental data.
4. To compare the experimental results with the theoretical results.
B. Scope of Work:
1. Test to failure for each steel connection set-up by using the Universal Testing
Machine.
2. Observe and record the failure mode.
3. Calculate the theoretical failure load of each set-up.
4. Produce a report for the works mentioned above.
C. 3. Apparatus:
i. Universal Testing Machine at BU02.
D. Materials
i. Grade 8.8 M10 bolts
Ordinary bolts are in three strength grades in BS4190:2001 as specified
below:

ii. Grade S355 steel main plates of 16 mm thick.

iii. Grade S275 steel cover plates of 6 mm thick.

E. Theory:
1. Ultimate Limit State:
2. Bolts
i. Shear capacity of bolt (double shear) Ps = As*ps
ii. Bearing capacity of bolt Pbb = pbb*d*t
3. Plate
i. Tension capacity of plate Pt = py*Ae
ii. Bearing capacity of plate Pbs = pbs*d*t
0.5e*t*pbs
where
As is the shear area of the bolt
Ae is the effective area of the plate
Ps is the shear strength of the bolt
pbb is the bearing strength of the bolt
pbs is the bearing strength of the plate
for steel grade S275, pbs = 460 MPa
for steel grade S355, pbs = 550 MPa
for steel grade S460, pbs = 670 MPa
py is the design strength of the steel plate
t is the thickness of the plate
d is the diameter of the bolt
e is the end distance of bolt
F. Experimental Procedures
1. Assemble the steel connections as indicate in the diagrams of set-up no.1 to no. 3.

2. For each connection, test the set-up in the Universal Testing Machine until failure.

3. Observe and record the failure load and failure mode.

4. Take photos of the failure mode.