See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/274898984

The High Strength Friction Grip Property Class 8.8 Bolts: Variability of
Installed Tension and Potential Resulting Effects on the Friction-type
Connections’ Behaviour

Conference Paper · April 2015

CITATIONS READS

5 8,280

4 authors:

Shahab Ramhormozian George Charles Clifton

Auckland University of Technology University of Auckland
28 PUBLICATIONS   101 CITATIONS    228 PUBLICATIONS   1,125 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Gregory A. Macrae Hsen-Han Khoo

University of Canterbury Mitchell Vranjes Consulting Engineers, Auckland, New Zealand
215 PUBLICATIONS   2,187 CITATIONS    18 PUBLICATIONS   197 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Seismic performance of suspended ceilings View project

Structural Fire Engineering View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Shahab Ramhormozian on 14 April 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

The high strength friction grip property class 8.8 bolts:
Variability of installed tension and potential resulting
effects on the friction-type connections’ behaviour

S. Ramhormozian & G.C. Clifton

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland
G.A. MacRae
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 2015 NZSEE
Conference
H.H. Khoo
KTA (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd., Selangor, Malaysia
ABSTRACT: The friction-type (or slip-critical) connections are intended to have no slip
under the serviceability limit state (SLS) loading and are expected to generate
dependable slip in the stable sliding condition under the ultimate limit state (ULS)
loading. Therefore accurate determination of the connection shear capacity is necessary
for designing the friction-type connection under the SLS and ULS loadings. The
asymmetric and symmetric friction connections (AFC and SFC) are two examples of the
friction-type connections which are used in the sliding hinge joint (SHJ) and the
rotational slotted bolted connection (RSBC) respectively and are also being developed
for use in column and shear wall bases in a number of low damage seismic resisting
systems.
According to NZS 3404, the nominal shear capacity of a friction-type connection bolt
under service loads is proportional to the minimum bolt tension at installation. That is
specified as the proof load of high strength friction grip (HSFG) bolts given in AS/NZS
1252 and installed in accordance with the methods of tensioning specified in NZS 3404.
However, based on experimental testing the bolts purchased from two different suppliers,
the actual installed bolt tension, which was monitored by a load cell during the tightening
process, showed a high possibility of being well below the code specified values.
This paper discusses the reasons of the HSFG property class 8.8 installed bolt tension
variability and its potential negative effects on the friction-type connections’ behaviour.
Recommendations are made to decrease the probability of lower than expected bolt
tension and the variability of the installed bolt tension and the future research plan for
enhancing the performance of the friction sliding connection is presented.

1 INTRODUCTION
The use of friction-type (or slip-critical) energy dissipaters in the earthquake resistant buildings is
growing. The asymmetric friction connection (AFC) and the symmetric friction connection (SFC) are
two examples of the friction-type connections which are used in the sliding hinge joint (SHJ) (Clifton
2005) and in the rotational slotted bolted connection (RSBC) (Popov and Yang 1995) respectively.
Both AFC and SFC connections have also been being researched to be used in column and shear wall
bases in a number of low damage seismic resisting systems at the Universities of Auckland (UofA)
and Canterbury (UofC).
The friction-type connections are intended to have no slip under the serviceability limit state (SLS)
loading, hence should be designed based on the tension friction (TF) mode for the SLS. Under the
ultimate limit state (ULS) loading, connection components which are not designed for friction sliding
are designed to the tension bearing (TB) mode. However connection components which are required
to undergo stable friction sliding must be designed for the stable sliding shear capacity. This is, for
example, the design requirement for the sliding hinge joint (SHJ) connection under the ULS loading

Paper Number P-16

(Clifton 2005). Therefore in a friction sliding connection component, both the threshold for sliding
commencing and the capacity generated in the stable sliding condition are important parameters for
the SLS and ULS conditions, respectively.

2 IMPORTANCE OF THE BOLT TENSION IN FRICTION-TYPE CONNECTIONS

According to the New Zealand Steel Structures Standard, NZS 3404 (NZS3404 1997/2001/2007), the
friction-type connection is defined as a “connection effected using high-strength bolts tightened to
induce a specified minimum bolt tension, such that the resultant clamping action transfers the design
shear forces at the serviceability limit state acting in the place of the common contact surfaces by the
friction developed between the contact surfaces”. The nominal shear capacity of a friction-type
connection’s bolt (𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 ) used to design the connection under the SLS loading is calculated by the
equation 1 below, from Clause 9.3.3.1 of NZS 3404.
V =µ n N K (1)
sf s ei ti h

Where: µ =slip factor which shall be taken as 0.35 or be based upon test evidence; n =number of
s ei
effective interfaces; N =minimum bolt tension at installation explained in section 3; K =factor for
ti h
different hole type taken as 1.0, 0.85, and 0.7 for standard, short slotted and oversize, and long slotted
holes respectively.
∗
Thus a bolt subjected only to a design shear force demand (𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 ) in the plane of the interface shall
satisfy the equation 2 below:
*
V sf ≤ fV (2)
sf

Where φ is the strength reduction factor determined by NZS 3404

Equations 1 and 2 show that the friction-type connection’s bolt design shear force capacity under the
SLS loading is directly related to the minimum bolt tension (𝑁𝑁𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 ) at installation as well as the slip
factor. The slip factor value is itself influenced by the bolt tension too, as the bolt tension provides the
clamping force of the connection plies which influences the nature of the contact across the surfaces.
According to NZS 3404 , the design for shear resistance of a friction-type connection component for
the ULS case shall also be separately assessed based on the tension bearing (TB) mode taking the bolt
shear and tension interaction into account. However, this is not applicable to the seismic friction
sliding connection components in which the component must generate slip in the stable sliding
condition. This slip is directly influenced by the bolt tension too. Consequently the bolt tension is an
important influential parameter of the friction-type connections design procedure and behaviour.

3 VARIABILITY OF THE INSTALLED BOLT TENSION FOUND IN THE EXPERIMENTS

The minimum bolt tension at installation is specified in NZS 3404 as being approximately equivalent
to the minimum proof load given in AS/NZS 1252 (AS/NZS 1252 1996). This is generally expected
to be attained through the part-turn method of tensioning of high strength friction grip (HSFG) bolts
specified in NZS 3404. Table 1 shows the minimum bolt tension for property class 8.8 M20 bolt and
the required nut rotation from the snug-tight condition identified by NZS 3404 (NZS3404
1997/2001/2007) for the case in which both outer faces of the bolted parts are normal to the bolt axis.
However, the bolt tightening tests undertaken by the authors have shown a considerable variability in
the HSFG property class 8.8 installed bolt tension. This was found out during the first round of
experimental tests of the PhD research entitled as sliding hinge joint connection with Belleville
springs being undertaken by the authors at the University of Auckland (UoA).

776
Based on testing the bolts purchased from two different New Zealand based suppliers, the actual
installed bolt tension, which was continuously monitored during the tightening by a specialist load
cell, showed a high possibility of being well below the code specified values. The bolt material was
also tensile tested to compare the bolt behaviour in direct tensile test and tightening test. The reasons
for this are the focus of the paper.

Table 1. Nut rotation and minimum bolt tension for property class 8.8 M20 bolt to NZS 3404.

Bolt length (mm) Nut rotation Minimum bolt tension

(underside of head to end of bolt) from the snug-tight condition (kN)
Up to and including 80 1/3 turn
Over 80 but not exceeding 160 1/2 turn 145
Over 160 but not exceeding 240 2/3 turn

The following section explains the tightening test set up and procedure.

4 BOLT TIGHTENING TEST SETUP AND MEASURMENTS FROM SUPPLIER A

A test set up was designed for the bolt tightening tests incorporating five plates with four normal or
slotted holes “simulating the plies in a sliding hinge joint (SHJ)”. It was clamped by a vice to a solid
bench (Fig. 1) for support. The plates are representing a 16mm thick mild steel cap plate with normal
holes, a 5mm thick high hardness shim with normal holes, a 16mm thick mild steel cleat with slotted
holes, another 5mm thick high hardness shim with normal holes, and a 16mm thick mild steel beam
bottom flange with normal holes. This is a typical overall thickness for a bolt in a SHJ. The focus was
on just one bolt while the other three holes were bolted to snug tight.

Figure 1. Bolt tightening test setup

The tension in the bolt was monitored and recorded continuously using a donut load cell “Transducer
Techniques TT-LWO-60” which was sandwiched between two hardened washers (Fig. 2a). The bolt
length was measured using an ultrasonic bolt tension metre “G5 Bolt Monitor” (Fig. 2b), before,
during, and after tightening as well as after untightening. A high speed pneumatic torque multiplier
“Torqlite TLSM-1475” (Fig. 2c) was used to turn the nut after snug-tight condition. Torque control
was also achieved by adjustment of the air pressure which was related to the applied torque by a graph
provided by the manufacturer. The nut rotation was monitored and recorded visually.
The bolts tested were all M20 High Strength Friction Grip (HSFG) property class 8.8 and purchased
initially from SUPPLIER A, a specialist engineering bolt supply company. Table 2 shows the
characteristics of the M20 HSFG property class 8.8 bolts. Five different configurations were designed
and considered. These involved first having no Belleville spring (NS) and then having one, two, three,
and four Belleville springs (S1, S2, S3, and S4) in series for the bolt assemblage. The bolt lengths that

777
were tested were 110mm, 120mm, 120mm, 130mm, and 140mm for NS, S1, S2, S3, and S4
respectively. These lengths allowed showing at least one clear thread above the nut after tightening
which is recommended by Clause 14.3.6.1.2 of NZS 3404.

a) b) c)
Figure 2. a) donut load cell b) ultrasonic bolt tension meter c) pneumatic torque multiplier.

Table 2. Characteristics of the M20 HSFG property class 8.8 bolts.

Stress Tensile Average Actual
Bolt Shank Yield Stress Proof Proof
Area of Pitch Stress Ultimate
Size Area (minimum) Stress Load
Thread (minimum) Tensile Stress
mm2 mm2 mm MPa MPa MPa kN MPa
M20 314 245 2.5 755 786 712 174 918

There is a requirement also for the minimum number of clear threads in the grip length beneath the
nut after tightening given in Clause 14.3.6.1.2 of NZS3404, which is required for full tensioned bolts
(i.e. into the plastic range), however since the aim of the research was to tighten the bolts under their
elastic range but not fully tensioned, this minimum thread length requirement was not followed.
The tightening tests were designed to be carried out with three repeats on each configuration i.e. NS,
S1, S2, S3, and S4 using fifteen SUPPLIER A as-received bolts. At first, three bolts were snug
tightened and then the followings were performed for the fourth bolt, which was the target bolt:
• Bench mark: The nut was turned until touching its underneath hardened washer;
• Hand tight: The nut was turned as much as possible by hand;
• Snug tight: The nut was tightened according to NZS 3404 (NZS3404 1997/2001/2007)
recommendation i.e. the tightness achieved by the full effort of a person using a standard
podger spanner;
• Increasing the bolt tension by turning the nut using the torque wrench: The torque was
being increased to turn the nut more until reaching a bolt tension equal to the proof load;
• Untightened: The nut was turned anti-clockwise until removing all of the tension in the bolt;
For each one of the abovementioned stages, the bolt tension, clockwise nut rotation from the bench
mark, bolt length, and pneumatic torque wrench air pressure associated with the applied torque were
measured.
A few bolts unexpectedly fractured during the tightening trials at a measured tension far below the
yielding point e.g. 50% of the bolt proof load. Initially the problem was considered to be because of
having less than the NZS 3404 specified minimum threads in the grip length, however, as the bolts
were being tightened to a target 50% of bolt proof load, this should not have been a factor. When
additional hardened washers then used under the head of the bolt to show 8 threads in the grip length
in compliance with NZS 3404, the bolt still fractured. Hence, it was decided to perform the tensile
tests on three bolts to ascertain the mechanical properties.

778
5 TENSILE TESTS ON THE BOLTS FROM SUPPLIER A
Three tensile tests were carried out on three 110mm long “excluding bolt head thickness” M20 HSFG
property class 8.8 bolts of SUPPLIER A using a 500 kN MTS tension/compression actuator (Fig. 3a)
to validate the accuracy of the donut load cell readings as well to determine as the mechanical
properties of the bolts. The tensile test results confirmed that the donut load cell readings accuracy are
all acceptable, particularly below the proof load and the bolt material complied with the AS/NZS1252
– 1996 based inspection certificate issued by the SUPPLIER A manufacturer. The experimentally
recorded tensile strength from these three samples, converted to the tensile stress, is shown in Table 2
Necking was observed in all samples associated with the yielding of bolt material showing a ductile
behaviour (Fig. 3b). The bolt sample 2 was intentionally loaded to the point of fracture. The fracture
surface was conical in shape, as shown in Figure 3c which was different from the previous tightening
trial bolts’ flat fracture surface shown in Figure 3d, suggesting a different mode of fracture. Both
modes of fracture were ductile, exhibiting having a grey, fibrous appearance associated with the
ductile fracture rather than bright granular appearance of a brittle fracture (Maleque and Salit 2014).
Figures 4a, b, and, c show the bolt tension versus displacement curves of these three tensile tests.

a) b) c) d)
Figure 3. a) tensile test setup b) necking in tensile test “sample 3” c) fracture surface in tensile test
“sample 2” d) fracture surface in tightening trial.

a) b)

c)
Figure 4.bolt tension vs displacement curves of tensile tests
a) sample 1 b) sample 2 “fractured” c) sample 3

779
6 TIGHTENING TESTS ON BOLTS FROM SUPPLIER B
The excellent material properties of the bolt steel necessitated a re-consideration of the reason for bolt
fracture before the required bolt tension was obtained, as shown in Figure 3d. It had been observed
that the galvanized surface on the bolts from SUPPLIER A in general, including the threads, was
rough compared with previously used HSFG bolts and that the nuts would not run freely on the
threads prior to installation. Bolts are tightened by application of torque onto the nut and the
relationship between applied torque and installed bolt tension has been shown to be critically
dependent on the condition of the threads on the nut and on the bolt (Hogan and Firkins 1985). It was
therefore considered likely that the poor quality of the galvanized finish was the principal contributor
to the premature fracture.
It was decided to change the bolt supplier to one supplying bolts with a visually observed smoother
finish. Therefore, the bolts then were ordered and purchased from SUPPLIER B, another New
Zealand based supplier. Based on the visual and physical comparison, the following differences were
quite noticeable between the SUPPLIER B and the SUPPLIER A bolts:
• The galvanizing finish was on the SUPPLIER B bolts was smoother to the touch and more
even compared with the rough surface of the SUPPLIER A bolts;
• The thread quality of the SUPPLIER B bolts was superior; much fewer rough spots and
much less localised build-up of galvanizing (Fig. 5);
• Most of the SUPPLIER B bolts showed visible bolt lubrication, which is a requirement of the
bolt supply standard AS/NZS 1252, while most of the SUPPLIER A bolts did not show signs
of lubrication (Fig. 5);
• The nut could freely turn around the thread over the full threaded length of most (but not all)
of the SUPPLIER B bolts, however this was not possible for most of the SUPPLIER A bolts;
• The identification markings on the SUPPLIER A and the SUPPLIER B bolt heads were
compliant with AS/NZS 1252. However the SUPPLIER A nuts did not always have the three
segments of curved lines, which the SUPPLIER B nuts did have.

Figure 5.thread quality and lubrication condition of SUPPLIER A and B bolts.

The tightening test procedure used for SUPPLIER B bolts was exactly same as the procedure used for
the SUPPLIER A bolts, which is explained in section 4.

780
7 TIGHTENING TESTS RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Only the results of the NS samples can be directly compared with the NZS 3404 specified part turn
and/or fastener manufacturers specified torque values, as there is no recommendation in the standard
for the cases of using Belleville springs. Figures 6a, b, and c show the bolt tension versus turn of the
nut, applied torque on the nut, and bolt length after snug-tight condition for NS samples.

a) b)

c)
Figure 6.bolt tension vs a) nut turn b) torque on the nut c) bolt length.

Based on the tightening tests results, the following key points were obtained:
• The bolts showed a variable behaviour in the tightening tests in terms of the nut turn and
applied torque on the nut required for a certain bolt tension (Fig. 6);
• It was not always possible to reach even the bolt proof load of a HSFG grade 8.8 bolt by
turning the nut, even for the SUPPLIER B bolts and nuts and not at all for any of the
SUPPLIER A bolts and nuts;
• All of the bolts were subject to the permanent elongation after untightening.
The required turn to reach at least 145kN of the bolt tension for the NS samples specified by NZS
3404 is 180 degrees after snug-tight. However that load was not achieved in any of the tests (Fig. 6a).
The maximum amount of the applied torque on the nut to reach 75% of the NS bolt samples proof
load, i.e. 110.25kN, specified by bolt manufacturers, is 430Nm (Imperial Supplies LLC). This was
close to being met for NS2 but for the other two cases was not achieved (Fig. 6b). The bolt tension vs
length curve was expected to be linear up to the proof load due to the linear elastic behaviour, which
was not the case for the tests (Fig. 6c).
The poor thread and finish quality was identified in this research as the reason for the
underachievement of the specified installed bolt tension, due to the nut-turning energy being
converted mostly into bolt torsional plastic strain rather than bolt tensile plastic strain. In other words
the low quality thread and finish is a significant issue for the HSFG bolts, causing the bolt body to
twist instead of being stretched by turning the nut. In practice where applicators fully tension these

781
bolts in accordance with the part turn method, they are unlikely to notice this difference in behaviour
if the material is sufficiently ductile to allow plastic twisting of the bolt to occur instead of plastic
tensioning.

8 RECOMMENDATIONS AND CURRENT/FUTURE RESEARCH PLAN

• It is strongly recommended from this research to do a pre-installation nut turning test by
hand on all bolts to divide them into three categories where nuts turn freely, almost freely, or
not full length when turned by hand and to reject all but the first category when they are
being used in friction sliding -type connections. This is being further researched by a joint
UoA-SCNZ programme currently underway by the authors and the results of which will be
reported at the conference.
• According to Clause 3.2.5.4 of AS/NZS 1252 the bolt/nut set should be supplied lubricated.
However, from this research it is recommended to apply an appropriate lubricant e.g.
molybdenum disulphide paste on all bolts before installation on site. This is also being
researched and confirmed by the joint UoA-SCNZ research.
• It is recommended not to reuse previously fully tensioned bolts to avoid high variability in
the bolt behaviour (this is also a requirement of the NZS 3404).
• NZS 3404 does not allow bolts to be fully tensioned via torque setting. This has been also
confirmed by this research.
• Turning of the bolt head happened in almost all cases in this research proved to be because of
the smooth surface of the load cell, smooth surface of the Belleville spring “in cases which
used Belleville springs”, and the very high amount of the torque due to the poor thread
quality. Thus, in usual use of the HSFG bolts in practice with no donut load cell and/or
Belleville springs, turning the bolt head can be a potential sign of over torqueing and risk of
plastic torque development.
• It is recommended to identify the required part-turn, based on the grip and thread length
rather than the bolt length. The reason is that grip and thread length of a bolt define the
longitudinal stiffness of the bolt which can be correlated to the required turn of the nut. This
is also being researched by the joint UoA-SCNZ research.
• A Smart Socket System has been purchased by the UoA to monitor and record the torque
values continuously. Thus the future tightening tests by the authors on the HSFG bolts with
and without Belleville springs will use the smart socket system to remove the issue of having
no continuous turn of the nut due to setting several higher torque values during each bolt
tightening.
• It is recommended to do the snug tightening stage carefully on all bolts in practice in the
joint e.g. by using a set of bolts of e.g. higher strength and different appearance that clamp
the plies together and which are taken out and replaced one by one with the specified bolts,
especially if the intention is using a nut-turn based method and the connection is designed for
friction sliding during earthquake.

9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This research was financially supported by Earthquake Commission Research Foundation (Project
14/U687 “Sliding Hinge Joint Connection with Belleville Springs”). The authors are grateful for this
support. The first author PhD studies at the UoA is financially supported by a departmental
scholarship through the support and kindness of the PhD supervisor, Associate Professor G. Charles
Clifton. This support is much appreciated. The authors would also like to acknowledge the efforts and
help of the P4P students as well as technical and laboratory staff at the Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering, the University of Auckland involved in this research in conducting
experimental testing.

782
 10 REFERENCES
Clifton, G.C. 2005. Semi-rigid joints for moment-resisting steel framed seismic-resisting systems. PhD,
University of Auckland.
Hogan, T.J. & Firkins, A. 1985. Fabrication and Erection Provisions of AS 1250. Proceedings, Third
Conference on Steel Developments, pp. 155-161.
Imperial Supplies LLC. Fastener Torque Charts.
Maleque, M.A. & Salit, M.S. 2014. Materials Selection and Design, Springer Singapore.
NZS3404 (1997/2001/2007). Steel structures standard, incorporating Amendments 1 and 2, Wellington [N.Z.]:
Standards New Zealand.
Popov, E.P. & Yang, T.S. 1995. Experimental and Analytical Studies of Steel Connections and Energy
Dissipators. Berkeley, University of California, Earthquake Engineering Research Center.
Standards New Zealand 1996. AS/NZS 1252 - High Strength Steel Bolts with Associated Nuts and Washers for
Structural Engineering. Wellington, New Zealand.

783

View publication stats