Dr.

Vijayan P
Professor & Head
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Govt. Engineering College Trichur
Thrissur 680 009.
8.8
 Bolt Classification
1. Based on Head: Hexagonal, Square
2. Based on Shank: Round, Ribbed/Fluted,
Interference Body Bolts (with serrations)
3. Based on Thread:
◦ Shapes: triangular, rounded, Acme (trapezoidal),
square, buttress
◦ Standards: ISO Metric, UTS (United Thread
Standard), BSW (British Standard Whitworth)
4. Based on Material Strength: Table 1 of IS: 800-
2007 (pp. 13)- 3.6, 4.6, 4.8, 5.6, 5.8, 6.8, 8.8, 9.8,
10.9, 12.9
5. Mode of Load Transfer from Bolt to Plate:
 Bearing
 Friction
6. Based on Type of Stress in Bolt:
• Shearing – single, double or multiple
• Tensile
• Combined shearing and tensile
7. Based on Type of Surface Finish:
 Ordinary – also Unfinished/Common/Black/Rough
 Turned and fitted – also Close Tolerance
 Fasteners spacing and edge distance
 10.2.2 Minimum Spacing  The distance between centers of
fasteners shall be not less than 2.5 times the nominal
diameter of the fastener.

 10.2.3 Maximum Spacing

 The distance between centres of any two adjacent fasteners
shall not exceed 32t or 300 mm, whichever is less, where t is
the thickness of the thinner plate.

 10.2.3.2 The distance between centres of two adjacent fasteners

(pitch), in a line lying in the direction of stress, shall not exceed
16t or 200 mm, whichever is less, in tension members and 12t or
200 mm, whichever is less, in compression members where t is the
thickness of the thinner plate. In the case of compression
members wherein forces are transferred through butting faces, this
distance shall not exceed 4.5 times the diameter of the fasteners
for a distance equal to 1.5 times the width of the member from the
butting faces.
 10.2.3.3 The distance between centres of any two
consecutive fasteners in a line adjacent and parallel to an
edge of an outside plate shall not exceed 100 mm plus 4t or
200 mm, whichever is less in compression and tension
members, where t is the thickness of the thinner outside
plate.
 10.2.3.4 When fasteners are staggered at equal intervals and
the gauge does not exceed 75 mm, the spacing specified in
10.2.3.2 and 10.2.3.3 between centres of fasteners may be
increased by 50 percent, subject to the maximum specified in
10.2.3.1.
 10.2.4 Edge and End Distances

 10.2.4.1 The edge distance is the distance at right

angles to the direction of stress from the centre of a
hole to the adjacent edge. The end distance is the
distance in the direction of stress from the centre of a
hole to the end of the element.
 10.2.4.2 The minimum edge and end distances from
the centre of any hole to the nearest edge of a plate
shall be not less than 1.7 times hole diameter in case
of shear or hand flame cut edges and 1.5 times the
hole diameter in case of rolled machine or flame cut,
sawn and planed edges.
 10.2.4.3 The maximum edge distance to the nearest
line of fasteners from an edge of any unstiffened part
should not exceed 12 t, where  = √(250/fy) and t is
the thickness of the thinner outer plate. This rule does
not apply to fasteners interconnecting the components
of back to back tension members. Where the
members are exposed to corrosive influences, the
maximum edge distance shall not exceed 40 mm plus
4t, where t is the thickness of thinner connected plate.
10.2.5 Tacking Fasteners

 10.2.5.2 Tacking fasteners shall have a spacing in line

not exceeding 32 times the thickness of the thinner
outside plate or 300 mm, whichever is less. Where
the plates are exposed to the weather, the spacing in
line shall not exceed 16 times the thickness of the
thinner outside plate or 200 mm, whichever is less. In
both cases, the distance between the lines of fasteners
shall not be greater than the respective pitches.
10.3 Bearing Type Bolts
 10.3.1 Effective Areas of Bolts
 10.3.1.1 Since threads can occur in the shear plane, the area
Ae for resisting shear should normally be taken as the net
tensile stress area, An, of the bolts. For bolts where the net
tensile stress area is not defined, An shall be taken as the
area at the root of the threads.

 10.3.1.2 Where it can be shown that the threads do not occur

in the shear plane, Ae may be taken as the cross section area,
As, at the shank.

 10.3.1.3 In the calculation of thread length, allowance

should be made for tolerance and thread run off.
 Shear Capacity of Bolts
1. Shear Capacity of Bolt  A bolt subjected to a factored shear force (Vsb) shall satisfy

Vsb < Vnsb / γmb

where
Vnsb = nominal shear capacity of a bolt, calculated as follows:
where
fu
Vnsb  nn Anb  ns Asb 
3
fu = ultimate 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 at threads, may be taken as the area corresponding to root
diameter at the thread
10.3.3.1 Long Joints  When the length of the joint, lj, of
a splice or end connection in a compression or tension element
containing more than two bolts (i.e. the distance between the
first and last rows of bolts in the joint, measured in the direction
of the load transfer) exceeds 15d in the direction of load, the
nominal shear capacity (10.3.2), Vns, shall be reduced by the
factor, lj, given by
lj = 1.075 – lj / (200 d) but 0.75 < lj < 1.0
= 1.075 – 0.005(lj/d)
where,
d= nominal diameter of the fastener
Note: This provision does not apply when the distribution of
shear over the length of joint is uniform as in the connection of
web of a section to the flanges.
10.3.3.2 Large Grip Lengths  When the grip length, l g(equal
to the total thickness of the connected plates) exceeds 5 times the diameter, d, of the
bolts, the design shear capacity shall be reduced by a factor lg, given by

lg = 8 d /(3 d+ lg) = 8 /(3+lg/d)

lg shall not be more than lj given in 10.3.3.1. The grip length, lg in no case shall be
greater than 8d.

10.3.3.3 Packing Plates  The design shear capacity of bolts

carrying calculate shear through a packing plate in excess of 6 mm shall be
decreased by a factor, pk given by

pk = (1 - 0.0125 tpk)

where , tpk = thickness of the thicker packing in mm
10.3.4 Bearing Load Capacity of the Bolt on plate
A bolt bearing on any plate subjected to a factored shear force (Vsb) shall satisfy
Vsb < Vnpb / γmb
where,
Vnpb = bearing strength of a bolt, calculated as follows:

Vnpb = kb 2.5 d t fu,

where kb is smaller of the following: e/3do, p/3do-0.25, fub/fu, 1.0

where
fu = smaller of the ultimate tensile stress of the bolt and the ultimate tensile
stress of the plate
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
10.3.5 Tension Capacity
 A bolt subjected to a factored tension force (Tb) shall satisfy
Tb < Tnb / γmb
where
Tnb = nominal tensile capacity of the bolt, calculated as follows:
Tnb = 0.90 fub An < fyb Asb (γmb / γm0)
where
fub = ultimate tensile stress of the bolt
fyb = yield stress of the bolt
Anb = net tensile stress area as specified in the appropriate Indian
Standard. For bolts where the tensile stress area is not defined, An shall
be taken as the area at the bottom of the threads. For ISO Threads, Anb
= 0.78 Asb
Asb = shank area of the bolt
10.3.6 Bolt Subjected to Combined Shear
and Tension
A bolt required to resist both design shear force (Vsd) and design tensile
force (Tnd) at the same time shall satisfy

2 2
V   Te 
      1.0
 Vsd   Tnd 
where
V = applied shear Vsd = design shear capacity
Te = externally applied tension, Tnd = design tension capacity
10.4 Friction Grip Type Bolting
10.4.1 In friction grip type bolting, initial pretension in bolt (usually high strength)
develops clamping force at the interfaces of elements being joined. The frictional
resistance to slip between the plate surfaces subjected to clamping force opposes
slip due to externally applied shear.
Friction grip type bolts and nuts shall conform to IS: 3757.
Their installation procedures shall conform to IS: 4000.

10.4.3 Slip Resistance  Design for friction type bolting in which slip
is required to be limited, a bolt subjected only to a factored design shear force, Vsf,
in the interface of connections at which slip cannot be tolerated, shall satisfy the
following:

Vsf < Vnsf / γmf , where, Vnsf = nominal shear capacity of a bolt
Vnsf = µf ne Kh Fo
 where
µf = coefficient of friction (slip factor) as specified in Table 20 (µf < 0.55)
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 (if slip resistance is designed at service load)
γmf = 1.25 (if slip resistance is designed at ultimate load)
Fo = minimum bolt tension (proof load) at installation and may be taken as

= Anb fo
Anb = net area of bolt in threads = 0.78 πd2/4 (as per IS:1367 part I for ISO
threads)
fo = proof stress (= 0.70 fub)
 Coefficient Coefficient
Treatment of surface of friction Treatment of surface of friction
(µf) (µf)
Surfaces blasted with shot or
grit and painted with ethylzinc
0.30
Surfaces not treated 0.20 silicate coat (thickness 60-80
m)

Surfaces blasted with shot or

Surfaces blasted with short or grit and painted with alcalizinc
0.30
grit with any loose rust 0.50 silicate coat
removed, no pitting (thickness 60-80 m)

Surfaces blasted with shot or Surface blasted with shot or grit

grit and hot-dip galvanized and spraymetallized with
0.10 aluminium 0.50
(thickness > 50 m)

Surfaces blasted with shot or

grit and spray-metallized with 0.25
Clean mill scale 0.33
zinc (thickness 50-70m)

Surface s blasted with shot or

grit and painted with ethylzinc
0.30
silicate coat (thickness 30-60 Sand blasted surface 0.48
m)

Sand blasted surface, after light

0.52 Red lead painted surface 0.1
rusting
 10.4.7 Where prying force, Q, is significant, prying force shall be calculated as given
below and added to the tension in the bolt. 2Te
l    f o be t 4 
Q v Te  2  lv le
2 le  27 l l
e v 
B A
where,
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 Te+Q Te+Q
is the minimum of, either the end distance, or the value
given by
 fo
le 1.1 t
fy
 = 2 for non pre-tensioned bolt and 1 for pre-tensioned bolt
 = 1.5
be = effective width of flange per pair of bolts
fo = proof stress in consistent units
t = thickness of the end plate
Problems
 1. Determine the bolt value of M20 common bolt of type 4.6 grade in
single shear. The bolt is used to connect 10 mm plate whose fu is
410 MPa.

Given: Dia. d= 20 mm, fub=400 MPa, fyb=240 MPa

Let us assume that the shear plane cuts the threaded part
Design shear capacity of the bolt
Vdsb= (400/√3)[1 x (π x202/4) x 0.78+ 0xAsb] x (1/1.25)
= 45271.2 N = 45.27 kN
Strength of bolt in single shear or shear capacity of the bolt = 45.27kN
Design bearing capacity of the bolt
Assuming that sufficient end distance and pitch are provided,
kb = fub/fu = 400/410 = 0.976
Vdpb = 2.5kb d t fu/1.25 = 2.5 x 0.976 x 20 x10 x400/1.25 =156160N
=156.16kN, as spacing details are not known
Therefore, the strength of bolt or BV = 45.27 kN.
2. Determine the strength of bolt in single shear in the above problem
if the shear plane cuts the shank or the unthreaded part.

Vdsb= (400/√3)x[1 x (π x202/4)+0]x(1/1.25)

= 58042 N = 58.04 kN
BV =58.04 kN
3. Determine the strength of bolt in double shear in the above problem
if the shear planes cuts the threaded part.
Vdsb= (400/√3)[2 x (π x202/4) x 0.78+ 0] x (1/1.25)
= 90544.9 N = 90.54 kN
BV = 90.54 kN
4. Determine the strength of bolt in double shear in the above
problem if one of the shear planes cuts the shank and the
other, the unthreaded part.
Vdsb= (400/√3)x[1 x( π x202/4) x 0.78 + 1 x( π x202)/4] x (1/1.25)
= 103.29 kN
BV = 103.29 kN
 5. Two plate of size 200x16 mm and 200x10 mm are connected to form a lap joint and
are subjected to a design force of 120 kN. Design the joint using 20 mm common
bolt of grade 4.6. The end distance is taken as 40 mm. Bolts are provided in single
row. Gauge distance of the bolt is 60 mm. The plate grade is Fe410.
Shear capacity of the bolt in single shear assuming the plane cuts the threaded part
Vdsb= (400/√3)[1 x (π x202/4) x 0.78+ 0] x (1/1.25) = 45271.2 N = 45.27 kN
Bearing load capacity
t= 10 mm, kb is to be found as minimum of the following four values
kb = e/3d0= 40/(3x22) = 0.61, p/3do - 0.25 = 60/(3x22) -0.25 =0.66, fub/fu =400/410
=0.98, 1.0
Thus kb = 0.61
Vdpb = 2.5kb d t fu/1.25 = 2.5 x 0.61 x 20 x10 x410/1.25 = 100040 N = 100.04kN

BV = 45.27 kN. Number of bolts required = Force/BV = 120/45.27 = 2.65 say 3 bolts
Tearing strength is to be checked which should be greater than 120kN

16 mm 10 mm

40 mm

60 mm
200 mm
60 mm

40 mm

40 mm
6. Two plates are connected by single bolting to form a lap joint. Determine its
efficiency if 20 mm bolt 4.6 is used. Assume gauge distance as 60 mm. Thickness
of plates are 8 mm and 12 mm respectively. Plate grade is E250.
Vdsb= (400/√3)x[1x(π x202/4)x0.78+0] x (1/1.25) = 45271.2 N = 45.27 kN
Design strength of bolt in single shear or shear capacity of the bolt = 45.27kN
Design bearing capacity of the bolt assuming e = 40mm and pitch = 60mm

12 mm 8 mm

40 mm

60 mm
200 mm
60 mm
40 mm

40 mm
Vdpb = 2.5kb dtfu/1.25 = 2.5x0.61x20x8x410/1.25 = 80032N = 80.03 kN
Bolt value = 45.27 kN → Joint load capacity for bolt failure = 3x45.27 = 135.81 kN
Rupture strength of plate through the hole = 0.9x410x(200-22x3)x8/1.25 = 316454.4 N =316.45kN
Yield strength of solid plate = Agfy/1.10 = (200x8)x250/1.10 = 363636.36 N =363.64 kN
Joint load capacity = 135.81 kN
Efficiency of the joint, η =135.81/363.64 = 0.3735 = 37.35 %
7. Two plates are connected by single bolting to form a double cover butt joint as
shown. Determine its efficiency if 20 mm bolt of grade 4.6 is used. Assume
gauge distance as 60 mm. Thickness of each plate is 8 mm and that of cover
plates is 6 mm. Plate grade Fe410.

Double shear strength of bolt

= 45.27x2 =90.54 kN (Shear planes cuts threaded parts)
Assuming sufficiently large end distance kb=1.0. If required, it can be
calculated.
Vdpb = 2.5kbdtfu/1.25 = 2.5x1.0x20x8x410/1.25 = 131200 N = 131.2 kN
Rupture strength of plate per pitch through the hole
= 0.9x410x(60-22)x8/1.25 = 89741 N =89.74 kN
So, strength of joint per pitch = 89.74 kN
Yield strength of solid plate per pitch = Agfy/1.10 = 60x8x250/1.10 = 109091
N =109.09 kN
Strength of solid plate per pitch = Agfy/1.10 = 109.09 kN
Efficiency of the joint, η =89.74/109.09 =82.26 %
8. Find the efficiency of the lap joint shown in figure using M20 bolts of grade 4.6.
Yield strength of plate is 250 MPa with fu= 410 MPa.

18 mm 16 mm
60 mm
40 mm
60 mm
200 mm
60 mm
40 mm

40 mm 40 mm
Given: Dia. d=20 mm, fub=400 MPa, fyb=240 MPa
Let us assume that the shear plane cuts the threaded part, design shear capacity of the bolt
Vdsb= (400/√3)x[1x(π x202/4)x0.78]x1/1.25 = 45271.2 N = 45.27 kN
Design bearing capacity of the bolt
kb = e/3d0= 40/(3x22) = 0.61, p/3do - 0.25 = 60/(3x22) -0.25 =0.66, fub/fu =400/410 =0.98,
1.0
Vdpb = 2.5kbdtfu/1.25 = 2.5x0.61x20x16x410/1.25 = 160.06 kN
Therefore, the strength of bolt or BV = 45.27 kN.
The strength of joint due to bolts = 45.27x6=271.62 kN
Rupture strength of plate = 0.9x410xAn/1.25 = 0.9x410x(200-3x22)x16/1.25 =632909 N
=632.91 kN
The strength of joint is = 271.62 kN
Strength of solid plate = fy Ag/γm0 = 250x200x16/1.10 = 727272.72 N = 727.27kN
Efficiency of the joint, η = (271.62/727.27)x100 = 37.35%
9. Find the strength and the efficiency of the double cover double bolted butt joint
shown in figure using M20 bolts of grade 4.6. Yield strength of plate is 250 MPa
with fu = 410 MPa.

Vdsb= (400/√3)x[1 x (π x202/4)x0.78 + 1x(π x202/4)]x1/1.25 = 103.31 kN

Design bearing capacity of the bolt
kb = e/3dd= 40/3x22 = 0.61, p/3do - 0.25 = 60/3x22 - 0.25 = 0.66, fub/fup = 400/410 =
0.98, 1.0
Vdpb = 2.5kbdtfu/1.25 = 2.5x0.61x20x16x410/1.25 = 160.064 kN
Here t =16 mm or 20 mm whichever is less.
Therefore, the strength of bolt or BV = 103.31 kN.
The strength of joint due to bolts = 103.31x6 = 619.86 kN
Design strength of plate = 0.9x410xAn/1.25 = 0.9x410x(200-3x22)x16/1.25 = 632.91kN
Strength of solid plate = fy Ag/γm0 = 250 x200x16/1.10 = 727272.73 N = 727.27 kN
Efficiency of the joint, η = (619.86/727.27)x100 = 85.23 %

16 mm 10 mm each
60 mm
40 mm
60 mm
200 mm
60 mm
40 mm

40 mm 40 mm
10. Find the strength and the efficiency of the double cover double bolted
butt joint shown in figure using M20 bolts of grade 4.6.

Here the bolt value = 103.31 kN

Strength of joint due to bolts =103.31x6=619.86 kN
Strength of plate in tension along 1-1, 2-2, and 3-3 can be determined as follows

At 1-1, Strength of plate through the hole

= Tdn = 0.9x410x(200 - 22)x16/1.25 = 840.73 kN
At 2-2, Strength of plate through the holes
= Tdn = 0.9x410x(200 - 2x22)x16/1.25 + One BV
= 736.82 + 103.31 = 840.13 kN
At 3-3, Strength of plate through the holes
= Tdn = 0.9x410x(200 - 3x22)x16/1.25 + three BV
= 632.91 + 3x103.31 = 942.84 kN
Thus least of the above strength is = 619.86 kN, which is the strength of the joint
and is governed by shear.

Strength of solid plate = 727.27 kN

Thus efficiency, η = 85.23 %

 10 mm each
16 mm
1 2 60 mm

40 mm
30 mm
30 mm
30 mm 200 mm
30 mm
40 mm

40 mm 40 mm
1 2 3
11. Try problems with packing plates and long joint

10 mm each cover plates

10 mm plate, 6mm pkp

16 mm main plate
60 mm

40 mm
60 mm

200 mm
60 mm

40 mm

40 mm 40 mm
12. Problem: determine
the safety of the joint, if
20 mm dia. common bolts
of 4.6 are used
Solution:
CG of bolt group is located at 8.75 cm
from centre of left column of bolts

The bolt value for M20 bolt in single shear is given by 45.27kN. Thus the strength of bolt is
greater than the resultant force. Hence the joint is safe.
13. Find the minimum diameter of the bolt required in the above problem
The dia. of bolt can be calculated as follows, R =BV
31950 N = (400/√3)x[1x(πd2/4)x0.78]x(1/1.25). From this diameter = 14.84 mm say 16
mm

14. Find the maximum load that can be applied in the above problem if d of bolt is
22 mm.
Here W is unknown. Find R as a function of W. Equate R to BV and find the diameter.

15. Bracket with inclined load.

16. Find the load W the bracket can carry under the service if M20
bolts of grade 4.6 is used. The material of the bracket and column is of
fy = 410 MPa. Thickness of bracket is 8 mm. tf = 6.1
200mm
Given: Dia. d= 20 mm, fub=400 MPa, fyb=240 MPa W

Let us assume that the shear plane cuts the threaded part A
80mm θ
Design shear capacity of the bolt
80mm θ
Vdsb= (400/√3)×[1×(π ×202/4)×0.78]×(1/1.25)
80mm
= 45271.2 N = 45.27 kN
80mm
Strength of bolt in single shear or shear capacity of the bolt
120mm
= 45.27kN
Design bearing capacity of the bolt , tf = 6.1 mm
Vdpb = 2.5kb dtfu/1.25 = 2.5× 20×6.1×400/1.25 = 97.6 kN
Therefore, the strength of bolt or BV = 45.27 kN.
F1 = W/10 = 0.1W
F2 = We×rmax/Σr2
rmax = √(1602 + 602) =170.88 mm,
Σr2 = 4[1602 + 602] +4[802 + 602]+ 2[ 602]
= 164000 mm2, e = 200 mm
F2 = We× rmax/Σr2
= W×200×170.88 /164000 = 0.2084W,
cos θ = 60/√(1602 + 602) = 0.351
Equating BV to R, we have

45.27 = √(F12 + F22 + 2 F1 F2 cos θ) = 0.2609W,

Therefore W = 173.9 kN under ultimate condition
Therefore safe load = 115.93 kN
 17. Design a bracket connection to carry a load of 200kN at an
eccentricity of 250 mm.
Let Pu = 200×1.5 = 300kN
Here the number of bolts is not given.
250mm
Let it be n. Assuming two brackets, load per bracket is 150 kN
Let us provide bolts in two vertical rows , m = 2
θ A
n = √{6M/(pm×BV)} =√{6×150×250 /(60×2×45.27)} = 4.98 say 6
60mm θ Let the bracket be 8 mm. Determine the resultant force in the critical bolt
60mm and this should be less that BV
60mm F1 = 150/12 = 12.5 kN, F2 = We×rmax /Σr2
rmax = √(1502 + 452) = 156.60 mm, Σr2 = 150,000 mm2, e = 250 mm
F2 = We×rmax /Σr2 =150×250×156.6 /150000 = 39.15 kN,
90mm
cos θ = 45/√(1502 +4502) = 0.287
Find Resultant, R = √(F12 + F22 + 2 F1 F2 cos θ) under ultimate condition
R < BV. Therefore safe.