BOLTED

CONNECTIONS
Based on 2010 NSCP
Types of Bolted Connections:
 High-strength bolts are used in the
connection of structural steel members

 The usual bolts used are A325 and A490

 Bolted connections used in construction

1. Bearing type connections
2. Slip critical connections
 Bearing type connection – this is a bolted
connection where plates can slip in the direction
of the applied force until they bear against bolts.
Bolts in bearing need only to be snug tight.
Snug tight is defined as the tightness that exists
when all plies in a joint are in firm contact.

 Slip-Critical connection – this is a bolted

connection in which the slip resistance of the
connection is required. Even the smallest
amount of slip is undesirable. Bolts must be
tightened to the full pre-tensioned load.
 Stress considered in Bolts:

V
1. Shearing Stress fv   2
Ns n 4 d

2. Tensile Stress T
ft   2
n 4 d
 P
3. Bearing Stress fp 
ntd
Where:
Ns = number of shear planes
n = number of bolts
d = diameter of the bolts
t = thickness of the plate
 Strength of Bolts:
 The nominal tensile stress (Fnt) and

 The nominal shear stress (Fnv) in Bearing-

Type Connection

 are found in Table 510.3.2 of the 2010

NSCP
 Table 510.3.2
Description of Fastener Nominal Tensile Nominal Shear Stress in
Stress, Fnt Bearing-Type Connection,
Fnv
A307 bolts 310 MPa 165 MPa
A325 or A325M,
when threads are 620 MPa 330 MPa
not excluded from
the shear plane
A325 or A325M,
when threads are 620 MPa 414 MPa
excluded from the
shear plane
 Table 510.3.2
Description of Fastener Nominal Tensile Nominal Shear Stress in
Stress, Fnt Bearing-Type Connection,
Fnv
A490 or A490M,
when threads are 780 MPa 414 Mpa
not excluded from
the shear plane
A490 or A490M, 780 MPa 520 MPa
when threads are
excluded from the
shear plane
 Table 510.3.2
Description of Fastener Nominal Nominal Shear Stress in
Tensile Stress, Bearing-Type Connection,
Fnt (Mpa) Fnv (Mpa)
Threaded parts meeting
the requirements of 0.75Fu 0.40Fu
Section 510.3.4, when
threads are not excluded
from the shear plane.
Threaded parts meeting
the requirements of 0.75Fu 0.50Fu
Section 510.3.4, when
threads are excluded from
the shear plane.
Shear and Tensile Strength
Rn  Fn v Ab
Rn  Fnt Ab
Fnv = nominal shear strength
Fnt = nominal tensile strength
Ab = nominal body area of the bolt
f = 0.75 (LRFD) W = 2.0 (ASD)
Combined Tensile and Shear Strength
in Bearing-Type Connection

fv  Fnt LRFD 
Fnt
F 'nt  1.3Fnt 
Rn  F 'nt Ab fFnv
WFnt
F 'nt  1.3Fnt  fv  Fnt  ASD 
Fnv

Fnv = nominal shear strength

Fnt = nominal tensile strength
fv = the required shear stress
 Example
The connection shown in the figure
consists of 10 A490 bolts and is attached
to the column flange. The bolts are
subjected to shear and tension in a
bearing-type connection with no threads
in the shear plane. Assume the strength
of the column flange and the plates does
not govern the strength.
1. Determine the safe value of P.
2. Investigate the adequacy of the bolts if
P=300kN.
 Solution
For A490 bolts with threads excluded from the
shear plane, the nominal shear stress is:
Fnv = 520 MPa (from Table 510.3.2)
The allowable shearing stress is:
Fv = Fnv/W = Fnv/2.0 = 260 MPa (ASD)
Shearing stress on bolts:

P P P 1000
fv   
Av Ns  n 4 d
 2 
(1)(10) 4 (22) 2

fv  0.2631P
 Equate fv = Fv :
260 = 0.2631P

Hence P = 988.2 kN considering shearing

stress only

Tension stress on bolts:

Bending Stress:
M = P e = 0.2 P (kN-m)
fb = Mc/I
Where c = 150 mm (distance of bolts farthest from
the center of gravity)
 1
I  (250)(375) 3  1098.63x10 6
12

0.2 Px106 (150)

fb  6
 0.0273P
1098.63x10

2T = fb (250x75) (The tension carried by the two

bolts is equal to the tension resisted by the
tributary area 250x75)
T fb  (250 x75) / 2 0.0273P  (250 x75) / 2
ft     0.673P
Ab d / 4
2
 (22) / 4
2

Equate ft =Fnt’/W
Fnt = 780 MPa (from Table 510.3.2)
 WFnt
Fnt '  1.3Fnt  fv
Fnv
(2.0)(780)
Fnt '  1.3(780)  (0.2631P )
(520)
Fnt ' / W  (1,014  0.7893P ) / 2
0.673P  (1,014  0.7893P ) / 2
Considering combined tension and shear:
P = 474.9 kN

The safe value of P is 474.9 kN.