CE 408

Steel Design
Chapter 7-Part One:
Bolted Connections
 Chapter 7-Part One : Content:
7.1 Introduction

7.2 Strength of Bolts

7.3 How to Analyze a bolted shear connection?

*Bearing Type

7.4 How to design a bolted shear connection?-

*Bearing Type
Introduction
Connections

Welded Bolted
Connections Connections
Introduction
Types of Bolts:
A307 – Low carbon steel (Not commonly
used – only used for secondary members)
A325 – High strength medium carbon
steel (Most common ones used in building construction)
A490 – High strength heat treated steel (Cost more than
A325’s, but are stronger)
Bolted Steel Connections
Bolt Properties:
AISC-360

 A325M Bolts: fy = 660 MPa , fu = 830 MPa

 A490M Bolts: fy = 900 MPa , fu = 1040 MPa

Bolted Steel Connections
Bolt Properties:
AISC 2010

 Bolt Diameters:
M12 M16 M22 M24 M27 M30
M36
M20
Introduction
Bolt Assembly:

Bolt Head

Nut

Threaded Part Bolt Shank

 AISC-360
Introduction
Nominal Hole Dimensions:
The maximum sizes of holes for bolts are given in Table J3.3
or Table J3.3M as below
Introduction
 Consider the following bolted connection:

What are the possible failure

Mechanisms?

Member Yielding Fracture at net section

Introduction
 Consider the following bolted connection:

We have also Connection-related Failures

Shear Failure of Bolt

Introduction
 Consider the following bolted connection:

We have also Connection-related Failures

Shear Failure of Bolt

Introduction
 Consider the following bolted connection:

We have also Connection-related Failures

Bearing Failure in Plate

Introduction
 Consider the following bolted connection:

We have also Connection-related Failures

Tension Failure of Bolt

 We have to design the
connection to be safe against all
these failure types
7.2 Strength of Bolts
 Strength of Bolts
Bolted Connections

Non-pretension Pretension
(Bearing Type) (Friction
Type)

Bolts subjected to
Shear

Bolts subjected to
Tension

Bolts subjected to Combined

Shear & Tension
Bolt Installation
Based on bolt behavior and desired performance, we
can divide bolted connections into two main categories
Bolted Connections

Non-pretension Pretension
(Bearing Type) (Friction Type)

The load is transferred The load is transferred

between members by between members by

bearing on bolts friction in the joint

Bolt Installation
Based on bolt behavior and desired performance, we
can split bolted connections into two main categories
Bolted Connections

Non-pretension Pretension
(Bearing Type) (Friction Type)

The differences among these joint types are essentially

the amount of force (Tightening) .
 Strength of Bolts
There are different types of bolted connections based on
arrangement of connection and applied forces:
Shear Connections

Lap Splice

Truss Joint
Strength of Bolts
There are different types of bolted connections based on
arrangement of connection and applied forces:

1-Shear Connections
2-Eccentric Shear Connections

Eccentric Joint
3-Connections subjected to Shear and Tension
4-Connections subjected to Combined Shear and
Tension
5-Beam Splice Connection:
6-Column Splice Connection:
7-Column Base Connection:
Bolt Installation
Based on bolt behavior and desired performance, we
can split bolted connections into two main categories
Bolted Connections

Non-pretension Pretension
(Bearing Type) (Friction Type)
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
 In bearing-type connections, the connection can fail in
two modes:
 Failure of the bolt.

 Failure of the plate.

 We will learn how to calculate bolt strength considering

different types of forces: Shear, Tension…etc.
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Shear Capacity of Bolt:
Rn = 0.75*Fnv Ab

Where:

Fnv: Nominal bolt shear stress (MPa)

n×d2b
Ab: Area of Bolt (mm2) =
4

db: Diameter of Bolt.

 Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Shear Capacity of Bolt:
How to calculate Nominal bolt shear stress (Fnv)?
It depends on:
Number of Shear Planes.
Whether threaded part is included in shear plane or not?
Shear Capacity of Bolt:: Bearing Type
How to calculate Nominal bolt shear stress (Fnv)?
It depends on:
Number of Shear Planes.
Whether threaded part is included in shear plane or not?
Single Shear
Fnv = Value from Table

Double Shear
Fnv = 2*Value from Table
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Shear Capacity of Bolt:
How to calculate Nominal bolt shear stress (Fnv)?
It depends on:
Number of Shear Planes.
Whether threaded part is included in shear plane or
not?
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type

Bearing Capacity of Plate:

Failure of plate can happen in two fashions:
Bolt tear-out.

Bolt hole ovalization.

Bolt tear-out

Bolt hole ovalization

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Bearing Capacity of Plate:
Rn = 0.75*(1.2*Lc*t*Fu) ≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)

Bolt tear-out Bolt hole ovalization

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Bearing Capacity of Plate:
Rn = 0.75*(1.2*Lc*t*Fu) ≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)

Where:

Lc: Clear distance between plate material (mm)

t: Plate thickness (mm)

db: Nominal bolt diameter (mm)

Fu: Tensile strength of plate (Mpa)

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Bearing Capacity of Plate:
Lc: Clear distance between plate material (mm)

Typical Arrangement of Bolt:

S: spacing between bolts

> 3 db
Smin

Smax = Minimum(14*t, 180 mm)

t: Thickness of Plate.
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Bearing Capacity of Plate:
Lc: Clear distance between plate material (mm)

Typical Arrangement of Bolt:

Le: Edge distance of bolt Minimum Le  From Table

Maximum Le = Min. (12*t, 150mm)

t: Thickness of Plate.
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Bearing Capacity of Plate:
Nominal Hole Dimensions: AISC-360

Bolt Diameter (db) = 24 mm  Hole diameter (dh) = 27 mm

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Bearing Capacity of Plate:
Lc: Clear distance between plate material (mm)
Lci: Clear distance for interior bolt.
Lci = S – dh

Lce: Clear distance for exterior bolt.

Lci = Le – 0.5*dh

dh: Diameter of Hole.

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1:
Calculate the capacity of a bearing-type
connection considering the shown configuration.
A36 Plate (Fy = 250 MPa , Fu = 400 MPa).
M24 Bolts (A325)
Assume shear plane pass by threaded part. Check if the
connection meets layout requirement.
Example 1:
50
65 75 75

50

75

50
M24 20 mm Pl.

12 mm Pl.
Example 1: (Solution)
Fromlayout of connection  Bolts are
subjected to
Shear.
We have to calculate:
Shear capacity of Bolts.
Bearing Capacity of Plate.
First: Shear Capacity of Bolt:
Rn = 0.75*Fnv Ab

Where:

Fnv: Nominal bolt shear stress (MPa)

Л×d2b
Ab: Area of Bolt (mm2) =
4

db: Diameter of Bolt.

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution)
Rn = 0.75*Fnv Ab

n×d2 Л×242
= 452.4 mm2
Ab = 4 b= 4

The connection is double shear, threaded part

included in shear plane.
 Get Fnv according to this from Table
Threads included

Double Shear

Fnv = 2*372

= 744 MPa
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution)
Rn = 0.75*Fnv Ab
= 0.75*744*452.4/1000 = 252.4 kN (For one bolt)

The connection include 6 Bolts: Total (Rn) = 6*252.4

= 1514.6 kN
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Second: Bearing Capacity of Plate:
Rn = 0.75*(1.2*Lc*t*Fu) ≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)

Where:

Lc: Clear distance between plate material (mm) t:

Plate thickness (mm)

db: Nominal bolt diameter (mm) = 24 mm

Fu: Tensile strength of plate (MPa) = 400 MPa

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution)
Case 1: Centre Plate
S = 75 mm Le = 65 mm t = 20 mm
65 75 75 50

50
Lce = Le -0.5 dh
= 65 – 0.5*27 = 51.5 mm 75

50
Lci = S – dh
= 75 – 27 = 48 mm M24 20 mm Pl.

12 mm Pl.
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution) For Centre Plate:
For Exterior Bolts:
Rn = 0.75*(1.2*Lce*t*Fu) ≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)
= 0.75*(1.2*51.5*20*400)/1000 = 370.8 kN
≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)=0.75*(2.4*24*20*400)/1000 = 345.6 kN

For Interior Bolts:

Rn = 0.75*(1.2*Lci*t*Fu) ≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)
= 0.75*(1.2*48*20*400)/1000 = 345.6 kN
≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)=0.75*(2.4*24*20*400)/1000 = 345.6 kN
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution) For Centre Plate:
For Exterior Bolts: Rn = 345.6 kN

For Interior Bolts: Rn = 345.6 kN

The connection include 2 Exterior Bolts + 4 Interior

Bolts

Total (Rn) = 2*345.6 + 4*345.6 = 2073.6 kN

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution)

Case 2: Cover Plate

S = 75 mm Le = 50 mm 65 75 75 50
t = 2*12 = 24 mm

50
Lce = Le -0.5 dh
= 50 – 0.5*27 = 36.5 mm 75

50
Lci = S – dh
= 75 – 27 = 48 mm M24 20 mm Pl.

12 mm Pl.
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution) For Cover Plate:
For Exterior Bolts:
Rn = 0.75*(1.2*Lce*t*Fu) ≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)
= 0.75*(1.2*36.5*24*400)/1000 = 315.4 kN
≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)=0.75*(2.4*24*24*400)/1000 = 345.6 kN

For Interior Bolts:

Rn = 0.75*(1.2*Lci*t*Fu) ≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)
= 0.75*(1.2*48*24*400)/1000 = 414.7 kN
≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)=0.75*(2.4*24*24*400)/1000 = 414.7 kN
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution) For Cover Plate:
For Exterior Bolts: Rn = 315.4 kN

For Interior Bolts: Rn = 414.7 kN

The connection include 2 Exterior Bolts + 4 Interior

Bolts

Total (Rn) = 2*315.4 + 4*414.7 = 2289.7 kN

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution) For Centre Plate:
Total (Rn) = 2*345.6 + 4*345.6 = 2073.6 kN

For Centre Plate:

Total (Rn) = 2*315.4 + 4*414.7 = 2289.7 kN

 Bearing capacity of Plate [Total (Rn)] =

2073.6 kN Shear capacity of Bolts [Total (Rn)] =

1514.6 kN
Governing
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution)
Check if connection meet layout requirements:

S = 75 mm
Smin = 3*db = 3*24 = 72 mm Smax = Minimum(14*t, 180
mm)
= Minimum(14*Min(20, 2*12), 180 mm) = 180 mm

S = 75 mm > Smin and < Smax

 The arrangement is O.K.

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 1: (Solution)
Check if connection meet layout requirements:

Le: Edge distance of bolt Le = 50 mm OR 65 mm

Minimum Le  From Table Minimum Le = 30 mm
Maximum Le = Min. (12*t, 150mm)
= Minimum(12*Min(20, 2*12), 150 mm) = 150 mm
Le = 50 or 65 mm > Le-min and < Le-max

 The arrangement is O.K.

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Minimum Edge Distance:
How to design a bolted
shear connection?
 Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
 Design of Bearing-type bolted connections is
straightforward:
1. Determine the design load (Pu).

2. Determine the shear capacity of one bolt.

3. Divide to obtain number of needed bolts.

4. Layout the connection according to requirements.

5. Check bolt bearing capacity.

6. Iterate and update design if necessary.

Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2:
Design an layout the bolted connection for the shown
plate: (Bearing Type)
 300x22 mm Plate (Fy = 345 MPa, Fu = 450 MPa).
 M20 Bolt (A325).
 PD = 400 kN 300x22 mm Plate

 PL = 500 kN
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2: (Solution)
PD = 400 kN PL = 550 kN

Step 1: Calculate the design load:

Pu1 = 1.4*400 = 560 kN

Pu2 = 1.2*400+1.6*500 300x22 mm Plate

= 1280 kN

 Pu = 1280 kN
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2: (Solution)
Step 2: Calculate bolt shear strength:

Rn = 0.75*Fnv Ab

n×d2 n×202 = 314.2 mm2

Ab = 4 =
b
4

Single shear.
300x22 mm Plate
Assume threaded part is included
in shear plane.
Get Fnv from Table.
Threads included

Single Shear

Fnv = 1*372

= 372 MPa
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2: (Solution)
Step 3: Determine number of needed bolts:

Rn = 0.75*Fnv Ab = 0.75 * 372 * 314.2/1000 = 87.7 kN

No. of needed bolts = 1280 / 87.7 = 14.6 Bolt

 Use 15 M20 (A325)

300x22 mm Plate
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2: (Solution)
Step 4: Arrange bolts in connection

Spacing between bolts (S) = 3*db = 3*20 = 60 mm

Use minimum edge distance (Le) = 26 mm

300x22 mm Plate
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Minimum Edge Distance:
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2: (Solution)

300x22 mm Plate

300 mm
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2: (Solution)

292 mm

26 60 60 26
60
60

300 mm
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2: (Solution)
Step 5: Check Plate bearing capacity

Spacing between bolts (S) = 60 mm

Le = 26 mm

t = 22 mm

Lce = Le -0.5 dh
= 26 – 0.5*22 = 15 mm

Lci = S – dh
= 60 – 22 = 38 mm
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2: (Solution)
Step 5: Check Plate bearing capacity
For Exterior Bolts:
Rn = 0.75*(1.2*Lce*t*Fu) ≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)
= 0.75*(1.2*15*22*450)/1000 = 133.65 kN
≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)=0.75*(2.4*20*22*450)/1000 = 356.4 kN

For Interior Bolts:

Rn = 0.75*(1.2*Lci*t*Fu) ≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)
= 0.75*(1.2*38*22*450)/1000 = 338.6 kN
≤ 0.75*(2.4*db*t*Fu)=0.75*(2.4*20*22*450)/1000 = 356.4 kN
Strength of Bolts: Bearing Type
Example 2: (Solution) For Cover Plate:
For Exterior Bolts: Rn = 133.65 kN

For Interior Bolts: Rn = 338.6 kN

The connection include 3 Exterior Bolts + 12 Interior

Bolts

Total (Rn) = 3*133.65 + 12*338.6 = 4464.2 kN

> Pu = 1280 kN
 The connection is safe in bearing.