Design of Steel Structure

Design of structural Fasteners

Bolted connection
A bolt may be defined as a metal pin with a head at one end a shank treaded at the other end to
receive a nut.

Advantage
1. The erection of the structure cab be speeded up
2. Less skilled persons are required.
3. The overall cost of bolted construction is cheaper than that of riveted construction
because of reduced labour and equipment cost and the smaller number of bolts required
for resisting for the same load.

Disadvantage
1. Cost of material is high, about double that of rivets.
2. The tensile strength of the bolt is reduced because of area reduction at the root of the
thread and also due to stress concentration.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 1
Design of Steel Structure

3. Normally, these are of a loose fit excepting turned bolts and hence their strength is
reduced.
4. When subjected to vibrations or shocks, bolt may get loose.
5.
Classification of bolted connection
1. On the basis of resultant force transferred

Concentric connection-When the load passes through the C.G of the section e.g axially tension
and compression member.

Eccentric connection-When the load is away from the C.G of the connection e.g bracket
connection and seat connection.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 2
Design of Steel Structure

Moment resisting connection-When joints are subjected to moment e.g beam to column in
framed structure.

2. On the basis of Type of force

Shear connection-When the load transfer is through shear e.g lap joint and butt joint.

Tension connection -When the load is transferred by tension on bolts e.g hanger connection.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 3
Design of Steel Structure

Combined shear and tension connection-when an including member is to be connected to a

column through bracket e.g connection of bracing.

3. On the basis of force mechanism

Bearing type –when the force is transferred by friction between the plate due to tensioning of
bolt e.g slip-critical connection.

Type of bolt
1. Unfinished bolt
 called ordinary, common, rough or black bolts.
 used for light structure subjected to static load.
 for secondary member as purlins, bracing, roof trusses.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 4
Design of Steel Structure

 These bolts are forged from low carbon rolled steel circular rods, permitting large
tolerances.
 Square head cost less but hexagonal heads gives a better appearance are easier to hold by
wrenches and require less turning space.
 Bolt are available from 5 to 36 mm in diameter and designated as M5 to M36.

Net tensile area stress area/proof area of bolt is to be considered is the area at the root of threads.
𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑
= 0.78 (𝐼𝑆 1367 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡1)
𝑁𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡
Typical bolt holes representation for 16 mm diameter bolt (Refer Table-10 Page no-73 IS:800-
2007)

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 5
Design of Steel Structure

Type Grade

High-strength Bolt
 Their high strength is achieved through quenching and tempering process or by alloying
steel.
 The joint using high strength friction grip bolt is called non-slip connection or slip
connection or friction-type connection.
 Feeler gauge is used to measure the tension when the gap has reached the required size.
 High-strength bolted joints may be snug-tight and slip-critical type.

Snug tight bolted joint

 The tightness achieved by after a few impacts of the pneumatic wrench. Snug tight bolts
aremuch more economical to install and should be used where permitted. In building
construction, snug-tight bearing type connection can be used for most cases including
connection subject to stress reversal due to wind or low seismic load.
 Where fatigue is expected, the snug tight bolts are not recommended.

Slip-critical connection
 It is achieved when the snug tight bolts are further tightened until they reach a fully
tensioned condition.
 It is most suitable for bridges where stress reversal may occur or slippage is undesirable.
 The high strength bolts are available in size from 16(M16) to 36(M36).
Advantage of High-strength Friction grip bolt
a) HSFG bolts provide a rigid joint. There is no slip between the elements connected.
b) Large tensile stress are developed in bolts, Which in turn provide large clamping force to
the element connected. It is developed providing a high static strength of the joint.
c) Because of clamping action load is transmitted by friction only and bolts are not
subjected to shear and bearing.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 6
Design of Steel Structure

d) The friction resistance is effective outside the hole and therefore lesser load is transmitted
through the net section, the possibility of failure at the net section is minimized.
e) There is no stress connection in the holes and therefore, the fatigue strength is more.
f) The tension in bolts is uniform. Also the bolts are tensioned upto proof load preventing
the nuts from loosing.
g) Few persons are required to make the connection thus cost is reduced.
h) Noise nuisance is not there and there is no danger of losing of the rivet.
i) Alteration can be done easily.
j) For some strength, lesser number of bolts are required at compared to rivets/ordinary
bolts which bring overall economy.
Type of bolted connection
Axial force ( the loads are assumed to pass through C.G of the group of bolt)
Lap joint
The two members to be connected are overlapped and connected together such a joint is called a lap joint.
To minimize the effect of bending in lap joints at least two rivets in a line should be provided.

Butt Joint
The two member to be connected are placed end to end. Additional plate/plates provided on either one or
both sides, called cover plate and connected together such a joint is called a Butt joint.
Single cover butt joint

Double cover butt joint

Failure of bolted joint

1. Shear failure
The shear stress in the bolt may exceed the working shear stress in the rivet shear stress are
generated because the plate slip due to applied force.

2. Bearing failure of bolt

The bolt is crushed around half circumference. The plate may be strong in bearing and
the heaviest stressed plate may press the bolt shank. Bearing failure of bolts generally
does not occur in practice except when plates are made of high strength steel and the
bolts are of very low grade steel.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 7
Design of Steel Structure

3. Bearing failure of plates

The plate may be crushed when the bearing stress in the plate exceeds the working bearing stress.

4. Tension failure of bolt

Bolts subjected to tension may fail at the stress area. In case if any of the connecting
plates is sufficiently flexible additional prying forces induced in the bolts must also be
considered.

5. Tension or tearing failure of plates

The tensile stress in the plate at the net cross section may exceed the working tensile stress.
Tearing failure occurs when the bolts are stronger than the plates.

6. Block shear failure

Bolts may have been placed at a lesser end-distance than required causing the plates to
shear out which however, can be checked by observing the specification for end-distance.
The possibility of this increases when high strength bolts are used; fewer bolts will be
used for making connection. This type of failure occurs with shear on one plane and
tension on perpendicular plane leading to fall of hatched portion of the plate.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 8
Design of Steel Structure

Bearing type connection

It is assumed that the load to be transferred is larger than the frictional resistance caused by
tighting the bolt

The strength of joint= strength of joint on the basis of bolt in joint or net tensile strength of plate
whichever is minimum.

Shearing Strength of bolt

𝑓
𝑉𝑛𝑠𝑏 = 𝑢 (𝑛𝑛 𝐴𝑛𝑏 + 𝑛𝑠 𝐴𝑠𝑏 ) (Refer clause 10.3.3 Page no-75 IS:800-2007)
√3
The nominal shear capacity of a bolt for long joints, long grip length and with paking plates will
be lesser and is modified as expressed as
𝑓𝑢
𝑉𝑛𝑠𝑏 = (𝑛𝑛 𝐴𝑛𝑏 + 𝑛𝑠 𝐴𝑠𝑏 ) 𝛽𝑙𝑗 𝛽𝑙𝑔 𝛽𝑃𝑘
√3
Reduction factor for long Joint (𝛽𝑙𝑗 ) (Refer clause 10.3.3.1 Page no-75 IS:800-2007)
𝑙𝑗
𝛽𝑙𝑗 = 1.075 − 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑜. 75 ≤ 𝛽𝑙𝑗 ≤ 1.0
200𝑑
𝑙𝑗
= 1.075 − 0.005
𝑑
d=Nominal diameter of the fasteners
When the length of joint 𝑙𝑗 of a plice or end connection in a compression or tension element
containing more than two bolts exceed 15d in the direction of load.
𝑓𝑢 =uitimate tensile strength of a bolt
𝑛𝑛 =number of shear planes with threads intercepting the shear plane;
𝑛𝑠 =number of shear planes without threads intercepting the shear plane;
𝐴𝑠𝑏 =nominal plain shank area of the bolt
𝐴𝑛𝑏 =net shear area of the bolt at threads, may be taken as the area corresponding to root
diameter at the thread.
𝜋
=0.78 4 𝑑 2

Reduction factor for large grip length(𝜷𝒍𝒈 ) (Refer clause 10.3.3.2 Page no-75 IS:800-2007)
When the grip length 𝑙𝑔 exceed 5d of bolt.
8𝑑
𝛽𝑙𝑔 =
3𝑑 + 𝑙𝑔
The grip length 𝑙𝑔 shall in no case be greater than 8d
𝛽𝑙𝑔 should not be more than 𝛽𝑙𝑗
Reduction factor for packing plate(𝜷𝑷𝒌 ) (Refer clause 10.3.3.3 Page no-75 IS:800-2007)
𝛽𝑃𝑘 = (1 − 0.0125 𝑡𝑃𝑘 )
If packing plate in excess of 6 mm the reduction is applied.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 9
Design of Steel Structure

Bearing Strength of bolt (Refer clause 10.3.4 Page no-75 IS:800-2007)

Design bearing strength of bolt
𝑉𝑛𝑝𝑏
𝑉𝑑𝑝𝑏 =
𝛾𝑚𝑏
𝑉𝑛𝑝𝑏 = 2.5 𝐾𝑏 𝑑𝑡𝑓𝑢
𝑒 𝑝 𝑓𝑢𝑏
𝐾𝑏 is smaller of 3𝑑 , 3𝑑 − 0.25, , 1.0
0 0 𝑓𝑢
e, p = end and pitch distances of the fastener along bearing direction;
𝑑0 =diameter of the hole;
𝑓𝑢𝑏 , 𝑓𝑢 =Ultimate tensile stress of the bolt and the ultimate tensile stress of the plate, respectively;
d=nominal diameter of the bolt
t=summation of the thicknesses of the connected plates experiencing bearing stress in the same
direction, or if the bolts are countersunk, the thickness of the plate minus one half of the depth of
countersinking.
Bearing capacity is reduced as per clause 10.3.4(a) and (b)
2.5 𝐾𝑏 𝑑𝑡𝑓𝑢
𝑉𝑑𝑝𝑏 =
𝛾𝑚𝑏
𝛾𝑚𝑏 = 1.25 from Table 5 Page no-30 IS:800-2007

Tension capacity (Refer clause 10.3.5 Page no-76 IS:800-2007)

𝑇𝑏 ≤ 𝑇𝑑𝑏
𝑇𝑛𝑏
𝑇𝑑𝑏 =
𝛾𝑚𝑏
𝑇𝑛𝑏 =nominal tensile capacity of bolt
=0.9 𝑓𝑢𝑏 𝐴𝑛
𝛾𝑚𝑏
< 𝑓𝑦𝑏 𝐴𝑠𝑏
𝛾𝑚0
𝑓𝑦𝑏 =yield stress of the bolt,
𝐴𝑛 =net tensile stress area as specified in the appropriate Indian Standard (for bolts where the
tensile stress area is not defined, A,, shall be taken as the area at the bottom of the threads)
𝐴𝑠𝑏 =shank area of the bolt
Value of 𝛾𝑚𝑏 , 𝛾𝑚0 from Table 5 Page no-30 IS:800-2007

Net areas 𝐴𝑛 = (𝐵 − 𝑛𝑑𝑛 )𝑡 for Chain bolting

𝑝2
𝐴𝑛 = [𝐵 − 𝑛𝑑𝑛 + ∑𝑚 𝑖
𝑖=1 4𝑔 ] 𝑡 for Staggered bolting(Refer clause 6.3.1Page no-33 IS:800-2007)
𝑖
)

Strength of a bolted joint is minimum strength based on strength of bolt in shear and bearing.

Efficiency (ƞ)
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡/𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
Ƞ= 𝑥100
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 10
Design of Steel Structure

Combind shear and tension

𝑉𝑠𝑏 2 𝑇𝑏 2
( ) +( ) ≤1
𝑉𝑑𝑏 𝑇𝑑𝑏
Q1. Calculate the strength of 20 mm diameter bolt of grade 4.6 for the following cases. The
main plates to be jointed are 12 mm thick
a) Lap joint
b) Single cover butt joint: the cover plate being 10 mm thick
c) Double cover butt joint: each of the cover plate being 8 mm thick.

Q2. A singled-bolted double cover butt joint is used to connect two plates which are 8 mm
thick. Assuming 16 mm diameter bolts of grade 4.6 and cover plates to be 6 mm thick.
Calculate the strength and efficiency of joint. if 4 bolts are provided in the bolt line at a
pitch of 45 mm shown in figure
Also determine the efficiency of the joint if two line of bolts two bolts in each line have been
arranged to result in a double bolted double cover butt joint.

Q3. Determine the strength and efficiency of the lap joint shown in figure. The bolts are of
20 mm diameter and the grade 4.6. The two plate to be jointed are 10 mm and 12 mm
thick( steel of grade Fe 410).

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 11
Design of Steel Structure

Q4 Two flats ( fe 410 grade steel) each 210 mmx8 mm are to be jointed using 20 mm
diameter 4.6 grade bolts to from a lap joint. The joint is supported to transferred a
factored load of 250 kN. Design the joint and determine the suitable pitch for the bolt.
Q5.Two ISF section 200 X 10 mm each and 1.5 m long are to be jointed in make a length of
3.0. Design a butt joint with the bolts arranged in the diamond pattern. The flats are
supposed to carry a factored tensile force of 450 KN.
Q6. Two plates 10 mm and 18 mm thick are to be jointed by double cover butt joint. Design
the joint for the following data
Factored design load=750kN
Bolt diameter =20 mm
Grade of steel= Fe 410
Grade of bolt =4.6
Cover plate (one on each side) 8 mmm thick.
Q7. Two framing angle ISA 150X150X10 mm are used to make beam and column
connection. One angle are placed on either side of the web of beam as shown in figure.
Three bolts of 16 mm diameter and of grade 4.6 are used to connect the angle leg to the
beam web. Determine the reaction that can be transferred through joint give
Column section ISHB 300@ 618.03 N/m tf=10.6 mm
Beam Section ISMB 350 @ 514.04 N/m tw=8.1 mm

Q8.Design the joint B of a roof truss as shown in figure. The members are connected with
16 mm diameter bolts of grade 4.6 to the gusset plate 12 mm thick.

Q9.A tie member was connected to a gusset plate with 6, 20 mm diameter bolts of grade 4.6
along the direction of the force in member. If the bolt were provided at a pitch of 75 mm

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 12
Design of Steel Structure

and at an edge distance 40 mm. Check whether the shear capacity of joint will reduce. If
yes then by what percentage.
Q10. Determine whether the joint shown in figure is safe or not. 8,16 mm diameter of grade
4.6 have been used for making the connection at section 1-1.Neglect the effect of prying
action.
Also find the number of 16 mm diameter bolt of grade 4.6 to connect the double angle
section ( 8 mm thick each) member with the web of the tee-back.

Slip resistance
𝑉𝑠𝑓 ≤ 𝑉𝑑𝑠𝑓
𝑉𝑛𝑠𝑓 𝜇𝑓 𝑛𝑒 𝐾ℎ 𝐹𝑜
𝑉𝑑𝑠𝑓 = =
𝛾𝑚𝑓 𝛾𝑚𝑓
𝑉𝑛𝑠𝑓 =nominal shear capacity of a bolt as governed by slip for friction type connection
𝜇𝑓 =Ccoefficient of friction (slip factor) (Refer Table-20 Page no-77 IS: 800-2007)
𝑛𝑒 =number of effective interfaces offering frictional resistance to slip
𝐾ℎ =1.0 for fasteners in clearance holes,
= 0.85 for fasteners in oversized and short slotted holes and for fasteners in long slotted holes
loaded perpendicular to the slot,
= 0.7 for fasteners in long slotted holes loaded parallel to the slot
𝛾𝑚𝑓 = 1.10 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
= 1.25 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑈𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
𝐹𝑜 =minimum bolt tension (proof load) at installation and may be taken as
=𝐴𝑛 𝑓0
𝐴𝑛 = 𝑛et area of the bolt at threads
𝑓0 = 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 0.70𝑓𝑢𝑏

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 13
Design of Steel Structure

For long joint the nominal shear capacity will be reduced by multiplying factor (𝛽𝑙𝑔 ) (Refer
clause 10.3.3.2 Page no-75 IS: 800-2007)

Combind shear and tension

2 2
𝑉𝑠𝑓 𝑇𝑓
( ) +( ) ≤1
𝑉𝑑𝑓 𝑇𝑑𝑓

Q11.An ISA 100X100X10 mm carries a factored tensile force of 100 KN.It is to be jointed
with a 12 mm thick gusset plate. Design a high bolted joint when
a) No slip is permitted
b) When slip is permitted steel of grade Fe 410.

Prying Action (Refer clause 10.4.7 Page no-77 IS:800-2007)

Tee-hanger subjected to a concentric tensile load T, Assuming perfect symmetry, the bolt will be
stressed equally. Therefore, for a tensile load applied to snug-type bolt i.e for bolt with no initial
tension the tensile force in the bolt will equal to applied load.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 14
Design of Steel Structure

Fully tensioned bolt, on the other hand, pre-stress the joint because of the pretension (tensile
force in the bolt due to tightening) and connected member are squeezed.

The bolt are under initial tension Ti for equilibrium, the connected part are subjected to
compressive Ci and due to pre- stressing of the plates, the thickness of compressed plate is
reduced which in turn reduces the tension in the connector and subsequently the compressive
stress in the plate. This increases the plate thickness. The overall effect is that neither plate
thickness nor connector tension is changed. The situation may be visualized as that of a
connection subjected to a tensile load T1 that equals the total tension (2Ti) in the connections.
This means that the joint is pre-stressed against the tensile force by the amount of stress initially
put in the shank of connections. The tensile force in the high strength bolts, therefore, should be
computed without considering any initial tension.

The flange is very flexible and the external load is

increased, the contact stress in the immediate vicinity of
the bolt decrease and will reduce to a zero value as the
flange separates from the support in these region. Further
since the flange will bend the outer portion of the flange
may be forced against the support and develop contact
stresses in different location called prying stress.

In most cases the connections subjected to tension

force, the flexibility of the connected parts therefore can
lead to deformations that increases the tension applied to
the bolts. This additional tension is called prying forced.
For equilibrium the total force in the bolt must equal
the applied force plus the prying forces.
This implies that the useful capacity of the bolt will
decrease by the amount of prying.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 15
Design of Steel Structure

The maximum value of the prying force will be reached when only the corner of the hanger
flange remain in contact with the other connected part
𝑙𝑣 𝛽ƞ𝑓𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑡 4 𝑙𝑣 𝑇𝑒
𝑄= [𝑇𝑒 − ] ≈
2𝑙𝑒 27𝑙𝑒 𝑙𝑣2 2𝑙𝑒
𝑙𝑣 = Distance from the bolt centreline to the toe of the fillet weld or to half the root radius for a
rolled section,
𝑙𝑒 =distance between prying force and bolt centreline and is the minimum of either the end
distance or the value given by
𝛽𝑓𝑜
𝑙𝑒 = 1.1. 𝑡√
𝑓𝑦
𝛽 = 2 for non pre-tensioned bolt and
=1 for pretensioned bolt,
ƞ =1.5
𝑏𝑒 = Effective width of flange per pair of bolts
𝑓𝑜 = 𝑝roof stress in consistent units,
𝑡 = thickness of the end plate.
Q12. Check the adequacy of the hanger connection shown in figure. The end-plate welded
connection shown in figure need not to design. The end distance of the bolts is 50 mm. Two
bolts of 30 mm diameter are used to make the connection; the end plate is 260X150 mm in
size. If the connection is found inadequate, suggest a way to make if safe.

Saurav, Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering

B.C.E,Bhagalpur
Page 16