PROJECT: STEEL BUILDING DESIGN CASE STUDY

SUBJECT: Tension member design. Bolted connection.

SHEET 101 of 131
Connection for a 38.3 foot long tension member that has to resist 78 kips of already factored load.
No slip is permitted, so this connection is slip critical.
t = resistance factor relating to tensile strength
Ag = gross cross-sectional area
Ae = U*An
U = reduction coefficient
Fy = specified (ASTM) minimum yield stress
Fu = specified (ASTM) minimum tensile strength
d = diameter of the bolt
An = net area
Rn = strength
Rstr = slip critical strength
Lc = distance from edge of hole to edge of connected part
t = thickness of connected part
Ab = nominal bolt area
Pu = factored load to be resisted
Fv = ultimate shearing strength
= mean slip coefficient (coefficient of static friction)
Tb = minimum fastener tension
Agv = gross area acted upon by shear
Agt = gross area acted upon by tension
Anv = net area acted upon by shear
Ant = net area acted upon by tension

Because the bolt size and layout will affect the net area of the tension member, we will begin with
the selection of the bolts. Use A325 bolts and A572 Grade 36 steel for both the tension member and
the gusset plate (standard holes).
Pu =
76 (kips)
= 0.75
t=
3/4 in
Fv = 48 (ksi)
= 0.33
Fy = 36 (ksi)
Fu = 58.0 (ksi)
L = 38.3 (ft)
Section at A

A
TRY :
7/8
Ab =
0.60
Shear strength:
Rn= Fv Ab

(in) bolts
(in2)

Tb =
Ns =

39
2

(kips) from table J3.1 LRFD

(assuming that the threads are in the shear plane)

Rn=
21.65
Kips/bolt
Rstr = (1.13 Tb b Ns)
Rstr =
29.09
Kips/bolt

Shear strength controls

Rn =

21.65

Kips/bolt

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PROJECT: STEEL BUILDING DESIGN CASE STUDY

SUBJECT: Bolted connection
Number of bolts required =
Try =
4
bolts
Minimum spacing :

bolts

the distance between centers of standard, oversized, or slotted holes, shall

not be less than 3d (from AISC J3.3).
s =3 d=
2.63 in
say, s =
3
in

Minimum edge distance :

Le =

Ag req.
U=
0.85
Ae req.
An req.

3.51

SHEET 102 of 131

(from AISC table J3.4)

1.5
in

2.34568 in2
(from commentary to the AISC specification)
1.74713 in2
2.05544 in2

minimum radius of gyration:

r min =
1.532 in
TRY
2L5x3x1/2LLBB
bolts placed in the long leg at the usual gage distance (check LRFD page 10-10)
usual gage =
3
in
Ag = #N/A in2
>
2.35 in2
#N/A
r = #N/A in
>
1.53 in
#N/A
t = #N/A in
An = #N/A in2
>
2.05544 in2
#N/A
x = 0.736 in
U = 0.91822
<
0.9
use U =
0.9
Ae = #N/A in2
>
1.74713 in2
#N/A
Check Bearing strength:
for bearing strength computation use a hole diameter of h =
Rn = (1.2 Lc t Fu)
if Lc < 2 d
Rn = (2.4 d t Fu)
if Lc > 2 d
For the hole nearest the edge of the member :
Lc =
1.03 in
Rn =
2d=
1.75 in
For the other holes:
Lc =
2.06 in
Rn =
2d=
1.75 in
Total bearing strength of the connection :
Rn =

#N/A kips >

76 kips

#N/A

15/16

#N/A

kips/bolt

#N/A

kips/bolt

in

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PROJECT: STEEL BUILDING DESIGN CASE STUDY

SUBJECT: Bolted connection

SHEET 103 of 131

Check Block shear:

Shear areas:
Agv =
#N/A
Anv =
#N/A

in2
in2

Tension areas:
Agt =
#N/A
Ant =
#N/A

in2
in2

Shear rupture design strength Vn: LRFD J4-1

(.6*Fu)*Anv =
#N/A kips
Tension rupture design strength Tn: LRFD J4-2
Fu*Ant =
#N/A kips
The larger fracture term controls:

#N/A

Block shear strength:

Rn =
Rn =

#N/A
#N/A

kips < #N/A

kips > Pu/2 = 38

kips

#N/A

Le =
Le =

1.5

in

g=

in

s=

Use a 2L5x3x1/2LLBB
Use
4
7/8

1.5

in.

with the long leg connected.

in. A325 bolts.

in

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