Examples

Question 6.1

Calculate the ultimate axial tensile load P for the lap joint shown in Figure E6.1a (not
to scale) if 20-mm diameter Grade 8.8 ordinary bolts are used in clearance holes.
Connected plates are all grade S275 steel.

P P

P/2 6 mm
15 mm P
P/2 6 mm

75 75 75 75

Figure E6.1a

Solution

The following data is applicable:

Bolt shear strength, ps = 375 N/mm2
Bolt bearing strength, pbb = 1000 N/mm2
Bearing strength of connected plates, pbs = 460 N/mm2
Thread area of 20 mm bolt, At = 245 mm2

The capacity is determined by the least of the following:

 Tension capacity of the 15 mm plate
 Tension capacity of the 6 mm plates
 Bolt shear capacity
 Bolt bearing capacity
 Bearing capacity of the plates

Since the 15 mm plate is thicker than the combined thickness of the 6 mm plates, it is
only necessary to consider the 6 mm plates in tension and bearing.

(i) Tension capacity of 6 mm plates

The tension capacity is given by

Pt = Aepy

For grade S275 steel plate of thickness 6 mm (< 16 mm), py = 275 N/mm2.
The net area of the plates is determined by considering the two possible failure paths
1-1 and 2-2 shown in Figure E6.1b.
1 2 For the unstaggered path 1-1,
Anet  bt  nDt   b  nD  t
where
Plate width b = 200 mm
Plate thickness t = 2x6 = 12 mm
Hole diameter D = 20+2 = 22 mm
No. of bolts n = 2
 Anet = (200-2x22)x12 = 1872 mm2

For the staggered path 2-2,

s2
1 2 Anet  bt  nDt   4gt
Figure E6.1b in which the no. of bolts n = 3, the pitch s and gauge g
have to be considered for each staggered diagonal
segment between adjacent bolts in the path.
 752 752 
 Anet   200  3  22    12  2283 mm
2

 4  50 4  50 
 Path 1-1 controls with Anet = 1872 mm2
The effective area Ae = KeAnet  Agross
But
Agross = bt = 200x12 = 2400 mm2
Ke = 1.2 for grade S275 N/mm2
This gives KeAnet = 1.2x1872 = 2246.4 mm2  Agross = 2400 mm2
Thus Ae = 2246.4 mm2
 Pt = 2246.4x275x10-3 = 617.8 kN

(ii) Bolt capacity in double shear

For a single bolt, this is given by

Ps = npsAs
where
No. of shear planes n = 2
Bolt shear strength, ps = 375 N/mm2
Assuming bolt threads are in the shear plane,
Shear area As = Tensile stress area At = 245 mm2
 Ps = 2x375x245x10-3 = 183.8 kN
For the 8 bolts, the total bolt shear capacity P = 8x183.8 = 1470 kN

(iii) Bolt bearing capacity

For a single bolt, this is given by

Pbb = dtpbb
where
Bolt diameter d = 20 mm
Thickness of connected plates, t = 12 mm
Bolt bearing strength, pbb = 1000 N/mm2
 Pbb = 20x12x1000x10-3 = 240 kN
For the 8 bolts, the total bolt bearing capacity P = 8x240 = 1920 kN

(iv) Bearing capacity of the plates

For a single bolt, this is given by

Pbs = dtpbs  ½etpbs
where
Bearing strength of connected plates, pbs = 460 N/mm2
Since end distance is not given, we can assume that it is such that e≥2d = 2x20 = 40
mm so that end shear does not control plate bearing.
 Pbs = 20x12x460x10-3 = 110.4 kN
For the 8 bolts, the total plate bearing capacity P = 8x110.4 = 883.2 kN

Comparing all the four capacities, it is concluded that plate tension controls the
capacity of the connection. Hence the ultimate axial tensile load that can be applied
on the plates is P = 617 kN.

Example 6.2

Identify all the actions that have to be checked to establish the capacity P for the
bolted hangar connection shown in Figure E6.2.

914x149UB

2L100x100x8

10 mm gusset

2L65x50x6

P P

Figure E6.2

Solution

The following capacities have to be checked:

(i) Moment, shear and deflection capacities of the 914x149UB
(ii) Tensile capacity of the four bolts connecting 2L100x100x8 to UB
(iii) Double shear capacity of the two bolts connecting 2L100x100x8 to UB
(iv) Bearing capacity of the two bolts connecting 2L100x100x8 to UB
(v) Bearing capacity of 2L100x100x8
(vi) Tensile capacity of the gusset
(vii) Bearing capacity of the gusset
(viii) Bearing capacity of the bolts connecting 2L65x50x6 to gusset
(ix) Double shear capacity of the bolts connecting 2L65x50x6 to gusset
(x) Tensile capacity of 2L65x50x6
(xi) Bearing capacity of 2L65x50x6

Example 6.3

Select the proper diameter Grade 8.8 bolt for a bearing-type connection shown in
Figure E6.3a. Assume threads are excluded from the shear plane.

40 kN
100

10 mm thk plate
75 (has adequate strength)

Figure E6.3a

Solution

This is an eccentric (or moment) connection in which the bolts are subjected to direct
and torsional shear. Considering Figure E6.3b, it is seen that either of the bolts is
critical when the rule-of-thumb “farthest from C.G. and nearest the eccentric load”.

40 kN Moment M = Pe = 40x100 = 4000 kNm

e = 100 mm
 x2  0
 y   37.5  2  2812.5 mm
2 2 2

 x   y  2812.5 mm
2 2 2

37.5 (i) Shear due to torsion

C.G.
37.5

Figure E6.3b
 Mx
Vertical component, Fmy  0
 x   y2
2

Horizontal component,
My 4000  37.5
Fmx    53.33 kN
x y
2 2
2812.5

(ii) Direct shear

P 40
Fp    20 kN
n 2

(iii) Resultant shear

1

Fs   Fmy  Fp   Fmx 2    0  20   53.332   56.96 kN

1
2 2 2 2

   

(iv) Bolt single shear capacity

Ps = psAs

For Grade 8.8 bolts: shear strength ps = 375 N/mm2

Since threads are excluded from the shear plane,
d2
As 
4
where d = bolt diameter.

d2
 Ps  375  N
4

(v) Bolt bearing capacity

Pbb = dtpbb

For Grade 8.8 bolts bearing strength pbb = 1000 N/mm2

 Pbb = d(10)(1000) = 10000d N

(vi) Determine bolt diameter by trial-and-error

Assume bolt shear controls.

 Ps ≥ Fs
That is,
d2
375   56.96 103
4
56.96 103  4
d 
2

375
 d  13.9 mm
Try d = 16 mm
Substituting back into the expressions for Ps and Pbb gives,
 d 2 375   162
Ps  375  = N = 75.4 kN
4 4
Pbb = 10000d = 10000x16 N = 160 kN
Since Ps<Pbb, this confirms that bolt shear controls and the required bolt diameter is
16 mm. If the case had been the other way round, the trial diameter would have had to
be recalculated on the basis of bolt bearing. Note that plate bearing has been excluded
from the checks since it was given that the capacity is adequate.

Example 6.4

Determine the number of 22-mm diameter Grade 4.6 bolts needed to attach the
structural tee to the column flange, as shown in Figure E6.4a. Threads are not
excluded from the shear plane.

300 kN (ultimate) Grade S275 steel

125

75 mm bolt spacings

16
Structural tee
16
Figure E6.4a

Solution

The moment connection has bolts subjected to tension and direct shear.
Let no. of bolts needed be n, with each vertical line having n/2 bolts.

(i) Consider direct shear on the bolts

Shear force per bolt

P
Fs   Ps  ps As
n
P
n 
ps As
where
The applied load P = 300 kN
Bolt shear strength ps = 160 N/mm2
Bolt shear area As = Tensile stress area At for threads included in the shear plane =
303 mm2
This gives
300 103
n  6.2 say 8 bolts
160  303
300
Fs   37.5 kN
8
Ps  160  303 10-3  48.5 kN  Fs (thus OK)

(ii) Consider tension in the bolts

Assume centre of rotation of the bolt group is at the bottom bolt line (see Figure
E6.4b)

Ft
4

3
y1=75x3
2 y2=75x2
y3=75
1

Figure E6.4b

Maximum tension occurs in the topmost bolts and is given by

Pey1
Ft  P  pA
 y2 t t t
where
The applied load P = 300 kN
Tensile strength of the bolt pt = 195 N/mm2
Tensile stress area of the bolt At = 303 mm2
Eccentricity of the load e = 125 mm
Distance of the critical bolts from the axis of rotation y1 = 73x3 mm
Pt is the tensile capacity of the bolt
 y 2   75  3   75  2   75   2  752 14 mm2
2 2 2

300 125  75  3
 Ft   53.6 kN
2  752 14
Pt  195  303 103  59.1 kN  Ft (thus OK)

(iii) Check interaction

Fs Ft
  1.4
Ps Pt

37.5 53.6
  1.68  1.4, hence not OK
48.5 59.1

Try n = 10 bolts arranged in two vertical lines of 5 bolts each

Going through the computations as before gives
Bolt shear check: Fs = 30 kN < Ps = 48.5 kN (OK)
Bolt tension check: Ft = 33.3 kN < Pt = 59.1 kN (OK)
Interaction: Fs/Ps + Ft/Pt = 1.2 < 1.4 (OK)

 Use 10No. 22 mm bolts in two vertical lines of 5 bolts each

Example 6.5

Determine the ultimate load P for the single channel fastened to a 12-mm gusset plate
as shown in Figure E6.5a. Use grade S275. Holes are for 16-mm diameter Grade 4.6
bolts. Assume the gusset plate has sufficient tensile strength.

Gusset plate

C381x102x55.10 kg/m

P P

75 75 75 75

Figure E6.5a

Solution

(i) Section properties of the channel

Depth D = 381.0 mm
Width B = 101.6 mm
Web thickness t = 10.4 mm
Flange thickness T =16.3 mm
Cross section area A = 70.19 cm2

(ii) Determine tensile strength of channel

B=101.6

T=16.3

D=381 348.4

T=16.3

t=10.4 91.2

Figure 6.5b

From Figure E6.5b,

Net area of unconnected parts (flanges)
a1  101.6 16.3  16.3 10.4  12   2  3142.64 mm2

Net area of connected parts (web)

a2   Gross area of parts    Deduction for holes 
 38110.4  10.4 16.3  12  2   4  16  2  10.4 
 3044.08 mm 2

Effective area
3a1a2
Ae  a1 
3a1  a2
3 142.64  3044.08
 3142.64 
3 142.64  3044.08
 5443.74 mm 2

Tensile capacity of channel Pt = Aepy

For T = 16.3 mm > 16 mm, design strength py = 265 N/mm2
 Pt = 5443.74x265x10-3 kN = 1442.6 kN

(iii) Determine shear capacity of bolts

Shear capacity of bolt in single shear Ps = psAs

Bolt tensile strength ps = 160 N/mm2
Assuming the bolt threads are in the shear plane, then
Bolt shear area As = Tensile stress area At = 157 mm2
Ps = 160x157x10-3 = 25.12 kN
For 10 bolts, the total shear capacity = 25.12x10 = 251.2 kN

(iv) Determine bearing capacity of bolts

Bearing capacity of one bolt Pbb = pbbdt

Bolt bearing strength pbb = 460x16x10.4x10-3 = 76.54 kN
For 10 bolts, the total bearing capacity = 76.54x10 = 765.4 kN

(iv) Determine bearing capacity of connected parts

Bearing capacity of plate Pbs = pbsdt  ½etpbs

Bearing strength for grade S275 steel pbs = 460 N/mm2
pbsdt = 460x16x10.4x10-3 = 76.54 kN
½etpbs = ½x75x10.4x460x10-3 = 179.4 kN > 76.54 kN
Plate bearing rather than end shear controls
Bearing capacity of plate
Pbs = 76.54 kN
For 10 bolts, the total plate bearing capacity = 76.54x10 = 765.4 kN

The ultimate load P is the least of the above capacities, i.e. P = 251.3 kN and thus bolt
shear controls

Example 6.6

For the connection shown in Figure E6.6 using 22-mm diameter Grade 4.6 bolts with
threads excluded from the shear, say whether or not the connection is satisfactory.
Use grade S275 steel for all plates.
 175

150 kN (ultimate)

6-mm Plate

140 254x254x89 kg/m UC

All linear dimensions in mm

Figure E6.6a

B/2 B/2 175

150 kN (ultimate)

75
A
75

75 C.G. x

75
6-mm Plate
75

254x254x89 kg/m UC
57.95 140 57.95

Figure E6.6b
 xA

A
Fxm

yA Fp

C.G.
Fym
Fs

Figure E6.6c

Solution

(i) Determine basic data

The bolts are subjected to torsional and direct shear. Referring to Figure 6.6b,
For the 254x254x89 kg/m UC, width B = 255.9 mm and flange thickness T = 17.3
mm
Side plate thickness t = 6 mm
Minimum end distance e1 = 57.95 mm
Eccentricity e = B/2+175 = 255.9/2+175 = 302.95 mm
Moment M = Pe = 150x302.95 = 45442.5 kNmm
For the bolt group,
 x 2  8  702  39200 mm2
 75 2  75  
2

 y  4   2    75  2    56250 mm2

2

 
 x 2   y 2  95450 mm2
Grade 4.6 bolt shear strength ps = 160 N/mm2
Grade 4.6 bolt bearing strength pbb = 460 N/mm2
Grade S275 plate bearing strength pbs = 460 N/mm2

The critical bolt is “A” since it is farthest from the centre of gravity of the bolt group
and nearest the applied load. For this bolt (see Figure 6.6c),

(ii) Determine shear due to torsion

MxA 45442.5  70
Vertical component Fym    33.3 kN
x y
2 2
95450

My A 45442.5 112.5
Horizontal component Fxm    53.6 kN
x y
2 2
95450
(iii) Determine direct shear

P 150
Fp    18.8 kN
n 8

(iv) Determine resultant shear

1

Fs   Fym  Fp   Fxm 2    33.3  18.8  53.62   74.7 kN

1
2 2 2 2

   
The resultant may also be obtained graphically by the parallelogram law of forces (see
Figure E6.6c).

(v) Determine single shear value on bolt shank

d 2   222
Ps  ps As  ps  160  103  60.8 kN
4 4

(vi) Determine bearing capacity of bolt

Pbb  dtpbb  22  6  460 103  60.7 kN

(vii) Determine bearing capacity of thinner plate

Pbs  dtpbs  12 e1tpbs

But
dtpbs  22  6  460 103  60.7 kN
and
3
2 e1tpbs  2  57.95  6  460 10  80.0 kN > 60.7 kN
1 1

Hence, Pbs = 60.7 kN

(viii) Determine the capacity of the connection

The strength of the connection is determined by the smallest of the above capacities,
namely the bearing capacity of bolt Pbb = 60.7 kN which is also equal to the bearing
capacity of the side plate Pbs. Since this value is less than the resultant applied shear
Fs = 74.7 kN, the connection is not satisfactory.

Practice exercises

Exercise 6.1

Given the splice shown in Figure P6.1, identify the possible failure paths and
determine the maximum capacity T based on the grade S275 steel plates having holes
arranged as in the figure. All the dimensions are in mm. The bolt threads are not in the
shear planes.
 8 mm thk plates

T T

17 mm thk plate 22 mm Grade 4.6 bolts

75
50
T 250 T
50
75

50 50
Figure P6.1

Answer: Capacity of the two cover plates = 1066.6 kN. Capacity of the main plate =
1092.0 kN. Hence the cover plates control, giving a tensile capacity of the setup of T
= 1066.56 kN.

Exercise 6.2

Determine the ultimate capacity P for the connection of Figure P6.2 if the fasteners
are 20-mm diameter Grade 4.6 bolts subject to shear and tension in a bearing-type
connection with no threads in the shear plane. Assume grade S275 steel. All the
dimensions shown are in mm.

P P
75 75 75

125 140

Figure P6.2

Answer: The eccentric connection has bolts in tension and direct shear. For the critical
topmost bolts, inequality expressions are derived in terms of P for the tensile force,
direct shear and interaction in comparison with the respective limits (capacities). It is
found that the interaction expression gives the lowest value of P = 296.3 kN which is
taken to be the capacity of the connection.

Exercise 6.3

A butt splice is to be designed as shown in Figure P6.3. The plates are all of grade
S275. Using 20-mm diameter high strength friction grip (HSFG) bolts in clearance
holes, determine the number of bolts required on each side of the splice. Why is it not
advantageous to use HSFG bolts for connections involving tension in the bolts?

P P = 1000 kN
(Ultimate)

P P

Answer: 8No. M20 bolts are required (assuming slip factor  = 0.45 and Ks = 1.0, and
taking proof load P0 = 144 kN for M20 bolts). HSFG bolts transmit load using
friction; subjecting them to tension reduces the frictional grip, hence defeating the
primary purpose of HSFG.

Exercise 6.4

Check the adequacy of the bracket connection shown in Figure P6.4 if grade 8.8
ordinary bolts are used.

Answer: The eccentric load is outside the plane of bolt shears. So the bolts are
subjected to direct tension and direct shear. The critical bolt is each of the two at the
top. Bolt tension Ft = 87.27 kN < Tensile capacity Pt = 110.25 kN, thus OK for
tension. Bolt shear Fs = 26.67 kN < Shear capacity Ps = 91.88 kN, thus OK for shear.
Interaction condition Fs/Ps + Ft/Pt = 1.1 < 1.4, thus OK. Hence, the connection is
adequate.
 Pu = 320 kN
e = 300 203

50

12 No.
350 Ø20 mm
bolts

50

All lengths in mm
10 10
Figure P6.4