Bolt Length calculation rules from simplest to most complicated

I. Regular/non-wafer connection with standard flange thicknesses

Bolt length is in the Length property of the bolt is used. This is visible in the property palette in
the model. It is pulled from the spec and populated in the spec via the catalog. You can view and edit
the spec value in the Spec and Catalog Editor:

II. Regular/non-wafer connections with non-standard flange thicknesses. For most ASME
connections the flange thickness is defined by the standard. For other standards there are
multiple flange thicknesses per pressure class.

If the Flange Thickness property either of the flanges and the bolt are different,

o subtract bolt flange thickness from bolt set bolt length

o add flange flange thickness
 o Now look for the next matching length inside mapping table. *
o

* The bolt length mapping table is in the spec. There is another copy of the bolt length mapping table in
the catalog. You can edit the mapping table in the catalog using the Spec and Catalog Editor. However,
you can’t edit the one in the spec. To edit the copy in the spec, you need to use a SQLite editor like
SQLITE Expert.

o Check for standard. This used the Bolt Compatible Standard field for the bolt record.
 If the Bolt Compatible Standard field contains a standard, look up it up in
the Bolt Mapping table.
 Look up the diameter of the bolt in the Bolt Size column.
 Select the one that’s closest and larger than calculated length for
stud bolts. For lug bolts, it’s the next smaller length to the
calculated length.
o If the Bolt Compatible Standard field is not filled out – This is the usual case for
ASME catalogs/specs.
 Check bolt size inside Default in the mapping table. If found Look up
the diameter of the bolt in the Bolt Size column.
 Select the one that’s closest and larger than calculated length for
stud bolts. For lug bolts, it’s the next smaller length to the
calculated length.
  If the bolt size is not found, do the same selection for the table entries in
the Default standard with no bolt size.
 If all fails, use the use the default calculation (Metric: round to next 10,
Imperial round to next 0.25)
III. Lap Joint Flange connections

Same as above. Standard ASME Lap Flanges have the same flange thickness as other flanges. If
you need longer bolts for lap connections, change the lap flange thickness.

IV. Wafer connections

Same as above, except add in the Length property of the wafer component before looking up
the bolt length. There is no allowance for gasket thickness.