11 AISC_PART 16_Comm J-K (415-476)_15Ed.

_July_2016 2016-11-09 10:28 AM Page 434 (Black plate)

16.1-434 BOLTS AND THREADED PARTS [Comm. J3.

contact the fasteners or the structural steel coating system; (3) locations with high
humidity environments maintaining almost continuous condensation; (4) locations
submerged in water or soil; or, (5) cathodically protected environments where cur-
rent is applied to the structural steel system by the sacrificial anode method or the DC
power method.
Group C Grade 2 fasteners have been subjected to testing to validate the prescribed
pretensioning methods, and have their thread root profile performance validated by
successful performance in numerous projects. Group C Grade 1 fasteners, as of the
date of this standard, have not been subjected to testing to validate the prescribed pre-
tensioning methods, and have not been tested to validate that the sharper UNJ thread
root profile is adequate for performance in a pretensioned application. Therefore,
Grade 2 fasteners are permitted to be used in snug-tight, pretensioned and slip-criti-
cal joints, and Grade 1 fasteners are restricted to use in the snug-tight condition.
The Group C transition shank cross-sectional area approximates the tensile stress
area of the bolt. The tensile stress area of the Grade 2 assembly is approximately 4%
greater than that for Grade 1. For simplicity, the nominal shear strength for transition
shank or threads included in the shear plane is based upon 80% of the full shank
cross-sectional area. Nominal tensile strength is based upon 75% of the bolt’s speci-
fied minimum tensile strength. As only the Grade 2 is permitted to be pretensioned,
the bolt pretension is based upon the Grade 2 tensile stress area.
Snug-tightened installation is the most economical installation procedure and is per-
mitted for bolts in bearing-type connections, except where pretensioning is required
in the Specification. Only Group A bolts in tension or combined shear and tension,
and Group B bolts in shear, where loosening or fatigue are not design considerations,
are permitted to be installed snug tight. Two studies have been conducted to investi-
gate possible reductions in strength because of varying levels of pretension in bolts
within the same connection. The studies found that no significant loss of strength
resulted from having different pretensions in bolts within the same connection, even
with ASTM F3125 Grade A490 or A490M fasteners. See Commentary Section J3.6
for more details.
There are no specified minimum or maximum pretensions for snug-tight installation
of bolts. The only requirement is that the bolts bring the plies into firm contact.
Depending on the thickness of material and the possible distortion due to welding,
portions of the connection may not be in contact.
There are practical cases in the design of structures where slip of the connection is
desirable to allow for expansion and contraction of a joint in a controlled manner.
Regardless of whether force transfer is required in the direction normal to the slip
direction, the nuts should be hand-tightened with a spud wrench and then backed off
one-quarter turn. Furthermore, it is advisable to deform the bolt threads or use a lock-
ing nut or jamb nut to ensure that the nut does not back off further under service
conditions. Thread deformation is commonly accomplished with a cold chisel and
hammer applied at one location. Note that tack-welding of the nut to the bolt threads
is not recommended.

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, July 7, 2016

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION