Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Analysis for Bolted Connections

 Identify the centroid of the bolt group.

 Identify the forces and the point of applications of the forces.

 Move the forces to the centroid of bolt group.

 Resolve the forces in the bolt group.

 Shear force in bolt group will be distributed equally to all bolts.
 Moment in bolt group can be resisted by
 uneven tension in bolts and compression in plates, OR
 uneven shear in bolts.

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Analysis for Bolted Connections – Bolts in Shear

P

P
s
r1
s

x x

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

3-D Illustration of the Connection

The forces in the bolts and holes are not shown in this diagram for clarity

Bolt group 

Bolt group 

Note that the columns are removed to show the bolt groups

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Analysis for Bolted Connections – Bolts in Shear and Tension

P

F1

y1 yi Fi

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Example BBC-2: Design of a Bracket

Check the adequacy of the bolts in the bracket shown below.

525
Design Load = 402kN

50 A
15
305.16
175

105
35
5@70 2 No.
254x254x89UC

B
50 All bolts 24mm dia.
57.9 250 250 57.9 In Grade 4.6 steel

Design Load = 402kN

Design Moment = 402 x 525 x 10-3 = 211kNm
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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

3-D Illustration of the Connection

The forces in the bolts and holes are not shown in this diagram for clarity

Design load = 402kN

Bolt group 

Bolt group 

Note that the columns are removed to show the bolt groups
Design load = 402kN for 2 bolt groups
For each bolt group, design load = 201kN
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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Grade 4.6 bolts in S275 Steel

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Bolt Group: x2 = 12 x 2502 = 750 x 103 A

y2 = 4(352 + 1052 + 1752) = 171.5 x 103 
Ftor
x2 + y2 = 921.5 x 103 Fs
cos = 250/305.6 = 0.819
Fr
Bolt A and B are subjected to maximum forces:
Force due to moment 
= (105.5 x 103 x 305.16)/(921.5 x 103) = 34.9kN
O 
Force due to shear
= 201/12 = 16.75kN
Resultant shear force on bolt
= [(34.9 x 0.573)2 + (34.9 x 0.819 + 16.75)2]0.5 = 49.5kN
Shear resistance = 67.8kN > 49.5kN OK! B
Bearing resistance = 150kN > 49.5kN OK! Ftor
Strength of joint is controlled by single shear of bolt. 
The joint is satisfactory. Fs
Fr
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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Importance of Using Matching Nut

Tension failure of thread core

Thread stripping failure

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Preloaded/Friction Grip Bolts

Differences between Preloaded and Non-preloaded bolts
Preloaded bolts Non-preloaded bolts
The load is transferred between The load is transferred between
members by friction in the joint members by bearing on the bolts

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Friction-Grip Bolts

Compression
between
plates

Tension in
bolt

• The bolts are fully pretensioned to create a clamping force between the connected parts.
• This clamping force develops frictional resistance between the connected parts.
• The frictional resistance allows the joint to withstand loading without slipping into bearing against
the body of the bolt, but the bolts must still be designed for bearing.
bearing
• The faying surfaces (planes of friction) require special preparation.
preparation
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CE3166 Structural Steel Design S D Pang

Comparison of Non-preloaded & Preloaded Bolts

After Installation Bearing and Shear at Design Load
F

Non-Preloaded Bolts

F
Preloading the Bolts No Slip
F
Frictional stresses
between connected
parts

Preloaded Bolts

Compressive stresses
on connected parts
F 56
Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Slip Resistant at Ultimate (for info)

Design Slip Resistance at Ultimate (for info)

k s n Shear check is replaced by slip resistance check

Fs , Rd  Fp , C
M3  M 3  1.25 (refer to NA to SS)

For bolts to pass the check, it has to satisfy Fs,Rd  Fv,Ed

where ks = 1.0 for bolts in normal holes

(for other types of holes, refer to Table 3.6 in EN 1993-1-8)
n = number of friction surfaces
Fp,C = 0.7 fubAs is the preloading force

Ultimate tensile strength of bolt fub Slip factor  for preloaded bolts
Bolt Class fub (N/mm2) Surface Treatment Class 
4.6 400 Surfaces blasted with shot or grit with loose rust removed, not pitted. A 0.5

8.8 800 Surfaces blasted with shot or grit: B 0.4

a) spray-metallized with a aluminum or zinc based product;
10.9 1000 b) with alkali-zinc silicate paint with a thickness of 50mm to 80mm.
Surfaces cleaned by wire-brushing or flame cleaning, with loose rust removed. C 0.3
Surfaces as rolled. D 0.2 57
Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

EN 1993-1-8 (Table 3.6: Values of ks)

Description ks

Bolts in normal holes. 1.00

Bolts in either oversized holes or short slotted holes with the

0.85
axis of the slot perpendicular to the direction of load transfer.
Bolts in long slotted holes with the axis of the slot Slotted Hole
0.70
perpendicular to the direction of load transfer.
Bolts in short slotted holes with the axis of the slot parallel to
0.76
the direction of load transfer.
Bolts in long slotted holes with the axis of the slot parallel to
0.63
the direction of load transfer.
Kidney Hole

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Bearing Resistance (for info)

k1 b f u dt
Fb , Rd 
M2
Bearing check is carried out together with slip resistance check.
Bearing resistance is same as non-preloaded bolts!
For bolts to pass bearing check, it has to satisfy Fb,Rd  Fv,Ed

Tension Resistance (for info)

k2 f ub As
Ft , Rd ,nom  0.8
M2
Tension check is required ONLY IF bolt is subjected to tension.
Tension resistance is same as non-preloaded bolts!
For bolts to pass tension check, it has to satisfy Ft,Rd  Ft,Ed

Combined Shear and Tension (for info)

k s n ( Fp ,C  0.8 Ft , Ed )
Fs , Rd   M 3  1.25 (refer to NA to SS)
M3
For bolts to pass this check, it has to satisfy Fs,Rd  Fv,Ed
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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Slip Resistant at Serviceability (for info)

Design Slip Resistance at Serviceability (for info)
k s n
Fs , Rd , ser  Fp ,C  M 3 , ser  1.1 (refer to NA to SS)
 M 3, ser
For bolts to pass the check, it has to satisfy Fs,Rd,ser  Fv,Ed,ser

Shear Resistance (for info)

 v f ub As
Fv , Rd 
M2
Shear check is carried out together with slip resistance check.
Shear resistance is the same as non-preloaded bolts!
For bolts to pass shear check, it has to satisfy Fv,Rd  Fv,Ed

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Bearing Resistance (for info)

k1 b f u dt
Fb , Rd 
M2
Bearing check is carried out together with slip resistance check.
Shear resistance is the same as non-preloaded bolts!
For bolts to pass bearing check, it has to satisfy Fb,Rd  Fv,Ed

Tension Resistance (for info)

k2 f ub As
Ft , Rd ,nom  0.8
M2
Tension check is required ONLY IF bolt is subjected to tension.
Tension resistance is same as non-preloaded bolts!
For bolts to pass tension check, it has to satisfy Ft,Rd  Ft,Ed

Combined Shear and Tension (for info)

k s n ( Fp ,C  0.8 Ft , Ed , ser )
Fs , Rd , ser   M 3 , ser  1.1 (refer to NA to SS)
 M 3, ser
For bolts to pass the check, it has to satisfy Fs,Rd,ser  Fv,Ed,ser
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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

When do we need Preloading?

The use of slip resistant connections is very expensive. In addition to the
costly tightening procedures, special care should be taken for the control of
friction surfaces. Below are some of the situations where the use of
preloaded bolts may be necessary.

1. Slip-critical connections.
2. Connections where the bolts are subject to direct tension loading
(bolts need to be pretensioned but surfaces do not need to be treated,
i.e. need not be slip-resistant).

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

When do we need Preloading?

Slip-critical connections are required in the following applications:
• Joints in which slip would be detrimental to the performance (e.g.
reduction of stiffness) of the structure, e.g. when the deformation
criteria are very stringent. (e.g. column splice connections for slender
structures, connections for bridges).
• Joints subject to frequent reversal
of load, such as the bracing of a
crane-runway. For wind and stability
bracing, you can use bearing type
connections.
• Joints that utilize oversize or slotted
holes. Such holes are sometimes
used to compensate tolerances on
site to facilitate easy erection.
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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

When do we need Preloading?

Preloaded bolts are required in the following situations where the bolts are
subject to direct tension loading :
•Preloading bolts to eliminate variation of bolt forces and hence improve
their fatigue resistance.

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Example BBC-5: Bolted tie connection with preloaded bolts

A tie carrying 380kN requires a splice within its length. The grade of steel and cross section of
the tie are S275 and 120x20mm respectively. Design a suitable arrangement using M20
preloaded bolts of Grade 8.8.
t = 20
380kN
380kN

380kN 120 380kN

Detailing Requirement
Same as Example BBC-2 for non-preloaded bolts

Bearing Capacity
Same as Example BBC-2 for non-preloaded bolts if the same end distance e1 = 40mm is used.
Fb , Rd  168kN

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Design Slip Resistance at Ultimate

k s n Shear check is replaced by slip resistance check
Fs , Rd  Fp , C  M 3  1.25 (refer to NA to SS)
M3
Class 8.8 bolts
where ks = 1.0 for bolts in normal holes
n = 1 is the number of friction surfaces
 = 0.4
Fp,C = 0.7 fubAs = 0.7 x 800 x 0.245
= 137 kN is the preloading force
 1.0 * 1 * 0.4 
Fs , Rd    * 137  43.9kN
 1.25 
Slip resistance Fs,Rd = 43.9kN

Class 8.8 bolts connecting plies in S275 steel

Bearing resistance Fb,Rd = 168kN

Slip resistance controls.

380
Number of bolts required   8.7 Use 10 bolts
43.9
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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Methods for Tensioning Friction-Grip Bolts

〄 turn-of-nut
〄 calibrated wrench
〄 tension control bolt
〄 direct tension indicator

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Methods for Tensioning Friction-Grip Bolts

Turn-of-nut method
The bolt is first snug tight, which can be achieved by “full effort of a man with an ordinary spud wrench”
to bring the connected plies into firm contact.
Matchmarks are placed on nut and bolt in a straight line.
The part not turned by the wrench is prevented from turning.
The bolt is tightened with a prescribed rotation past the snug-tight condition.
The specified rotation varies by diameter and length (between 1/3 and 1 turn).

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Calibrated Wrench method

Calibrated Wrench pretensioning uses an impact wrench to tighten the bolt to a specified tension.

A Skidmore-Wilhelm calibration
device is used to calibrate the
wrench to the torque level which
will achieve the specified tension.

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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Tension control bolt

Inner chuck Outer chuck

• The tension control bolts are pretensioned with a tension-control bolt installation wrench that has two
coaxial chucks.
• The inner chuck engages the splined end of the bolt.
• The outer chuck envelopes the nut.
• The two chucks turn opposite to one another to tighten the bolt.
• The splined end of the tension control bolt shears off at a specified tension. Splined end of bolt
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Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures J Y R Liew & S D Pang

Direct Tension Indicators

DTI

Feeler Gage

 Another way to pretension a bolt is through the use of direct tension indicators (DTIs).
 These washers have protrusions that must bear against the unturned element.
 As the bolt is tightened the clamping force flattens the protrusions and reduces the gap.
 The gap is measured with a feeler gage.
 When the gap reaches the specified size, the bolt is properly pretensioned.
 It is important to note that DTI washers can only indicate the minimum tension required to close the gap.
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