AISC_Part 7A:14th Ed.

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hange E hange E
XC di XC di
F- t F- t
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS 7–5
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W

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N

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Y

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U
B

B
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Pretensioned Joints
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When pretension is required but slip-resistance is not of concern, a pretensioned jointe r - s o f t
should be specified. The applicability is summarized and design requirements, installation
requirements and inspection requirements are stipulated for pretensioned joints per RCSC
Specification Section 4.2. Additionally, pretensioned joints are required by default in some
cases per AISC Specification Section J1.10. Faying surfaces in pretensioned joints must
meet the requirements in RCSC Specification Sections 3.2 and 3.2.1, but not those for slip-
critical joints in RCSC Specification Section 3.2.2.

Slip-Critical Joints
The applicability of slip critical joints is summarized and design requirements, installation
requirements, and inspection requirements are stipulated in RCSC Specification Section 4.3,
except as modified by AISC Specification Sections J3.8 and J3.9. Faying surfaces in slip-
critical joints must meet the requirements in RCSC Specification Sections 3.2 and 3.2.2.
RCSC defines a faying surface as “the plane of contact between two plies of a joint.” Note
that the surfaces under the bolt head, washer and/or nut are not faying surfaces.
Subject to the requirements in RCSC Specification Section 4.3, slip-critical joints are
rarely required in building design. Slip-critical joints are appreciably more expensive
because of the associated costs of faying surface preparation and installation and inspection
requirements.
When slip-resistance is required and the steel is painted, the fabricator should be con-
sulted to determine the most economical approach to providing the necessary slip resistance.
Special paint systems that are rated for slip resistance can be specified. Alternatively, a paint
system that is not rated for slip resistance can be used with the faying surfaces masked.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Design requirements are found in the AISC Specification as follows. In each case, the avail-
able strength determined in accordance with these provisions must equal or exceed the
required strength. These requirements are derived from those in the RCSC Specification.

Shear
Available shear strength is determined as given in RCSC Specification Section 5.1 and AISC
Specification Section J3.6, with consideration of the presence of fillers or shims, per RCSC
Specification Section 5.1 and AISC Specification Section J5. The nominal shear strengths
given in Table J3.2 have been reduced by approximately 10% from statistical results of tests
to account for uneven force distributions associated with end loading and other effects nor-
mally neglected in the design process.
When the length of a bolted joint measured parallel to the line of force exceeds 38 in., a
16.7% strength reduction may be applicable, per AISC Specification Table J3.2 footnote a.
The force that can be resisted by a snug-tightened or pretensioned high-strength bolt
may also be limited by the bearing strength at the bolt hole per AISC Specification Section
J3.10. The effective strength of an individual bolt may be taken as the lesser of the shear
strength per Section J3.6 or the bearing strength at the bolt hole per Section J3.10. The
strength of the bolt group may be taken as the sum of the effective strengths of the indi-
vidual fasteners.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION