Bolted Connections

 A bolt is a metal pin with a head formed at one end and shank threaded at the other in order to receive
a nut.
 On the basis of load transfer in the connection bolts are classified as:
(a) Bearing Type (b) Friction Grip Type
 There are two types of bearing type bolts, namely,
(i) Unfinished or Black Bolts. (ii) Finished or Turned Bolts.
 The shanks of black bolts are unfinished, i.e., rough as obtained at the time of rolling, while turned
bolts are obtained by turning hexagonal shank to circular shape.
 The bolt hole diameter is only 1.5 mm larger than that of the shank in case of turned bolt.
 These bolts are used in special jobs like connecting machine parts subject to dynamic loadings.
 For black bolts, diameter of bolt hole is larger and are used in most of the work.
 A black bolt is represented as M16, M20, etc. which means black bolt of nominal diameter 16 mm,
black bolt of nominal diameter 20 mm, etc.

Bolt Assembly:
A bolt is a metal rod or pin of mild steel. It has a standard head at one end. The shank of the bolt is provided
with threads cut at the other end in order to take a nut. A bolt assembly consists of the bolt, washer and a nut

Advantages of Bolted Connections

1. Making joint is noiseless.

2. Do not need skill labour.
3. Needs less labour.
4. Connections can be made quickly.
5. Structures can be put to use immediately.
6. Accommodates minor discrepancies in dimensions.
7. Alterations, if done can be made easily.
8. Working area required if the field is less.

Disadvantages of Bolted Connections

1. Tensile strength is reduced considerably due to stress concentrations and reduction of area at the roots
of the thread.
2. Rigidity of joints is reduced due to loose fit, resulting into excessive deflection.
3. Due to vibration nuts are likely to loosen, endangering the safety of structure.

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1. Pitch of the Bolts (p): It is the centre-to-centre spacing of the bolts in a row, measured along the
direction of load.
2. Gauge Distance (g): It is the distance between the two consecutive bolts of adjacent rows and is
measured at right angles to the direction of load.
3. Edge Distance (e): It is the distance of bolt hole from the adjacent edge of the plate.
4. Staggered Distance:- It is the centre to centre distance of staggered bolts measured obliquely on the
member.

Advantages and Disadvantage of welded connections over bolted connections

1. Advantages of Welded Connections

 Since the process does not involve driving holes, gross sectional area is effective, so more load
carrying capacity of member as compared to bolted connections.
 Welded structures are lighter than bolted structures.
 Often a weld joint has the strength of parent itself.
 Repairs and further new connections can be made easily as compared to bolting.
 Member such as circular sections are difficult for bolting as compared for welding.
 A welded structure has a better finish and appearance as compared to bolted structure.
 Connecting gusset plate and angles can be minimised.
 It is possible to weld at any point at any part of the structure. But bolting always requires
enough clearance.
 It is possible to get 100% efficiency.
 Welded connections are more water tight.
2. Disadvantages of welded joints
 Welding requires skill labour and supervision.
 Internal stresses in the weld are likely to be setup.
 Due to uneven heating and cooling the welded member are likely to get wrapped.
 There is a greater possibility of brittle fracture in the welding.
 Testing of a weld joint is difficult, it needs not destructive testing.
 Defects like internal air pockets, incomplete penetration are difficult to weld.
 The fatigue strength is difficult to bolted joint.

Welded joint are more advantageous than Riveted joint Due to

 Better appearance
 Avoidance of Rivet holes
 More Stiffness
 Reduction in overall weight of structure
 Reduction in noise during connection

State the types of bolted joint

a. Lap Joint
 Single line bolting
 Double line bolting

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b. Butt Joint
 Single cover butt joint
 Double cover butt joint

State modes of failure of bolted joint

a. Failure of plate
1. By tearing of plate
2. By tensile failure of plate
3. By bearing failure of plate.
b. Failure of plate
1. By tearing of bolt
2. By tensile failure of bolt
3. By bearing failure of bolt

DESIGN STRENGTH OF BEARING BOLTS

1. Shear capacity of bearing bolts (Vdsb)

Where Vnsb= nominal shear capacity of bolt

ℽmb = Partial factor of safety of bolt.

( )
√
fub= ultimate tensile strength of bolt
nn = number of shear planes with thread intercepting the shear plane

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ns = number of shear planes without threads intercepting the shear plane

Asb = nominal plain shank area of the bolt =
Anb = net shear area of bolt at threads =0.78

2. Bearing Capacity of Bolt:- (Vdpb)

The design bearing strength of bolt can be given by

Where kb = 1 ,
Where e = end distance
P = pitch diatance
fub = ultimate tensile stress of bolt
fu = ultimate tensile stress of plate.
d = nominal diameter of bolt
t = summation of the thickness of connected plate
kb = effective stiffness for beam and column

3. Design tensile strength of bearing and HSFG bolts

In a tension or hanger connection, the applied load produces tension in the bolts and the bolts are
designed as tension members. If the attached plate is allowed to deform, additional tensile forces called
prying forces are developed in the bolts.
Tension Capacity − A bolt subjected to a factored tension force (Tb) shall satisfy
Tb < Tnb / γmb , γmb = 1.25
Where, Tnb= nominal tensile capacity of the bolt, calculated as follows:

ℽm1 = 1.25
Where, fu = ultimate tensile stress of the material
An = net effective area of plate

An = net effective area at critical section = [b – ndo + ∑ ]t

Where b = width of plate
t = thickness of thinner plate
do = diameter of the bolt hole
n = number of bolt holes
Note: If there is no staggering of the bolts, psi = 0 and hence, An = [b – ndo] t
g = gauge length between the bolt hole
i = subscript for summation of all inclined legs.

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 Lug angle- lug angle is a short piece of an angle section used at a joint to connect the outside leg of a
member, thereby reducing the length of joint.

 Minimum Spacing of Bolts:The distance between centres of bolts shall not be less than 2.5 times the
nominal diameter of the bolt.

 Maximum Spacing of Bolts:

1. The distance between the centres of two adjacent bolts shall not exceed 32 t or 300 mm, whichever is
less, where t is the thickness of the thinner plate.
2. The distance between the centres of two adjacent bolts (pitch) in a line lying in the direction of stress,
shall not exceed 16 t or 200 nun whichever is less, in tension members and 12 t or 200 mm whichever is
less in compression members, where t is the thickness of the thinner plate.
3. In the case of compression members where forces are transferred, through butting faces, the distance
shall not exceed 4.5 times the diameter of the bolt for a distance equal to 1.5 times the width of the
member from the butting faces.
4. The distance between the centres of any two consecutive bolts in a line adjacent and parallel to an edge
of an outside plate shall not exceed 100 mm + 4 t or 200 mm whichever is less, in compression and
tension members, where t is the thickness of the thinner outside plate.

 Edge and End Distances:

1. Edge distance is the distance at right angles to the direction of stress from the centre of a hole to the
adjacent edge.
2. The end distance is the distance in the direction of the stress from the centre of a hole to the end of the
element.
3. The minimum edge and end distances from the centre of any hole to the nearest edge of a plate shall not
be less than 1.7 times the hole diameter in the case of sheared or hand flame cut edges and 1.5 times the
hole diameter in case of rolled, machine-flame cut, sawn and planed edges.
4. The maximum edge distance to the nearest line of bolts from an edge of any unstiffened part should not
exceed 12 tɛ, where ε = (250/fy)1/2 and t is the thickness of the thinner outer plate.

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5. This would not apply to bolts interconnecting the components of back to back tension members. Where
the members are exposed to corrosive influences, the maximum edge distance shall not exceed 40 mm
plus 4 t where t is the thickness of the thinner connected plate.

Bolt Hole Diameter and Minimum Edge Distance:-

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Tensile Properties of Fasteners:-

Common Types of Bolts:

Bolts meant for connection of steel components are of the following types:
1. Black Bolts (Ordinary Unfinished Bolts):
This is the common unfinished rough bolt with hexagonal head. These bolts are made from black round
bars. The bolt head is formed by forging. The diameter at the root of the threads is 1.5 mm to 3 mm less
than the diameter of the shank. These bolts have lower strength. They have limited applications and are
used in works of minor importance. These bolts are not suitable where members are subjected to slips,
shocks and vibrations.
2. Turned Bolts (Precision Bolts):
These are also made from black round bars. These are turned down to the exact diameter with precision.
The bolt head on the inner side and also the flat face of the nut are well machined. Washers used with
these bolts are also machined on both faces. In situations where slips, shocks and vibrations are
undesirable these bolts are fitted into precisely drilled holes. These bolts are also called close tolerance
bolts. These bolts are of two types, viz., Precision, A Grade bolts and semi precision B Grade bolts.
3. Ribbed Bolts:
These are bolts with round head and they have projecting longitudinal ribs over their shanks. As the bolt
is driven, the projecting ribs cut the edges of the whole resulting in a tight and firm fit. Such bolts are
preferred for connecting members subjected to stress reversal.
4. High Strength Friction Grip Bolts (HSFG Bolts):

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These bolts are made of high tensile steel. While fitting, these bolts are adequately tightened using special
torque wrenches so as to introduce a predetermined tension in the shank. This enables additional shear
resistance developed between the contacting connected plates as a result of friction. These bolts have a
larger diameter head and are provided with additional marks of identification. These bolts are used where
a genuine need exists.

Advantages of HSFG bolts are given below:

(i) The joint is absolutely rigid since the plates do not slip.
(ii) The bolts which are in high tension provide considerable clamping force on the connected plates due to
which large frictional resistance against slipping of the plates is available. The strength of the joint
becomes very high.
(iii) Due to high frictional resistance available due to high clamping force shearing and bearing stresses do
not occur in the bolts.
(iv) Even outside the bolt hole frictional resistance is available. Hence the load transmitted through the net
section is reduced.
(v) Stress concentration in the holes and close to them is eliminated. The fatigue strength is increased. The
joint can withstand pulsating or alternating loads.
(vi) The bolts are in high tension close to proof load and hence the nuts are unlikely to get loosened.

Failure of a Shear Joint:

There are four ways in which a shear joint can fail.
The possible modes of failure are the following:
1. Shear failure of the bolt shank.
2. Bearing failure of the bolt.
3. Bearing Failure of Plate
4. Tearing Failure of Plate
5. Block Shear Failure

Two types of failure of bolted joints:-

1. Shear failure of bolt: shear tress are generated when the plates slip due to applied forces. The
maximum factored shear force in the bolt may exceed the nominal shear capacity of the bolt. The shear
failure of the bolt takes place at the bolt shear plane (interface).the bolt may fail in single or double
shear.

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2. Bearing failure of bolt:-the bolt is crushed around half circumferences. The plate may be strong in
bearing and the heaviest stressed plate may press the bolt shank. The bearing failure of bolt generally
does not occur in practice.

3. Bearing failure of plate: - when an ordinary bolt is subjected to shear forces. The slip takes place and
bolt comes in contact with the plate .the plate may get crushed .if the plate material is weaker than the
bolt material. The bearing problem can be complicated by the presence of a nearby bolt or the
proximity of an edge in the direction of load.

Bearing on Plate Shear Tear out of Plate

4. Tension or tearing failure of plates: tearing failure occurs when the bolts are stronger than the
plate’s .tension on both the gross area (yielding) and net effective area (rupture) must be considered.

Tearing Failure of Plate

5. Block shear failure :-Bolts may have been placed at a lesser end distance than required causing the
plates to shear out which, however can be checked by observing the specification for end distance .the
failure of connection in block may occur when a block of material within the bolted area breaks away
from the remainder bolts are used ,fewer bolts will be used for making connection .this type of failure
occurs with the shear on one plane and tension on perpendicular plane leading to fall of hatched
portion of the plate.

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Prevention of Failure
To prevent the failure modes 1 and 2, sufficient bolts of suitable number must be provided.
To prevent the failure mode 3 sufficient end distances must be provided.
To prevent the failure mode 4, the plate must be designed to provide sufficient effective sectional area.

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