SPACING OF BOLTS IN BUILT-UP BEAMS

In order to increase the bending strength of a beam across a specific area, cover plates are
attached to the flanges of the beam. The distance between the bolts that join two or more steel
beams to create a single, bigger composite beam is referred to as the bolt spacing in built-up
beams. These bolts' spacing is determined by a number of elements, such as the size and
form of the beams, the weight they are intended to support, and the structure's design
specifications.
The design engineer often determines and specifies the bolt spacing in built-up beams in the
construction plans. To establish the proper spacing, the engineer will take into account the
shear and tension stresses that will be applied to the bolts as well as the strength as well as
stiffness of the beam itself. To guarantee the structural integrity of the built-up beam, it is
crucial to make sure the bolts are properly spaced and tightened to the required torque
standards.

In accordance to Section 506.13.3, the cross-sectional area of cover of the plates of bolted
girders shall be limited to 70% of the total flange area.

The required spacing of bolts, s is calculated using the following formula:

LRFD: ϕ = 0.75 ASD : Ω = 2.0

ϕRnI ⎛ Rn ⎞
s = ―― ⎜―― ⎟I
VuQ ⎝Ω⎠
s = ―――
VuQ
However, according to Section 505.6.2, in a built-up member, the maximum spacing shall be;

⎛ E ⎞
‾‾‾
smax = t ⎜0.75 ⋅ ―⎟ ≤ 300 mm
⎜⎝ Fy ⎟⎠

where,
s = is the spacing of bolts (center to center)
Rn =is the strength based on bolt shear or bearing on bolt holes that governs
I = moment of inertia from the neutral axis of the whole built up section
Q = first moment of inertia of the plate from the neutral axis
t = thickness of the thinner outside plate
Fy = yield strength of the material

Solve Problems 2-13

Solve Problems 2-13

1. A W360 x 101 beam is provided with a plate of 12mm thick and a width of 350 at the top and
bottom as shown below. At a certain section of the beam, the computed external shear forces
are VD =185 kN and VL =225 kN. All steels are ASTM A36. Determine the spacing of 22-mm
diameter A325 bolts used in a bearing type connection with threads in shear plane. Edge
distance of 80 mm and that deformation of bolts is a design consideration. Use LRFD. ϕ =
0.75

A992 Steel: Fy =248 MPa, Fu = 400 MPa

A325 bolt: Fnv = 372 MPa

W360x101 Properties
tf = 18.3 mm
tw = 10.5 mm
Ag = 12900 mm 2
h = 357 mm
b = 255 mm
Ix = 302 ⋅ 10 6 mm 4
Iy = 397 ⋅ 10 6 mm 4

Check requirements: Aplate

――≤ 70%
Aft
12 mm ((350 mm ))
―――――――――――――= 0.474 = 47.4% < 70% Okay
255 mm ((18.3 mm )) + 12 mm ((350 mm ))

Solve for Ina and Q :

INA = IW + IP

IW = 302 ⋅ 10 6 mm 4
((12 mm )) 3
IP = 350 mm ⋅ ―――― + 350 mm ⋅ 12 mm ⋅ ((184.5 mm )) 2 = ⎛⎝1.43 ⋅ 10 8 ⎞⎠ mm 4
12
INA = ⎛⎝302 ⋅ 10 6 ⎞⎠ mm 4 + ⎛⎝1.43 ⋅ 10 8 ⎞⎠ mm 4 = ⎛⎝4.45 ⋅ 10 8 ⎞⎠ mm 4

Q = Ay = 350 mm ⋅ 12 mm ⋅ 184.5 mm = ⎛⎝7.749 ⋅ 10 5 ⎞⎠ mm 3

Solve for Rn :
 Solve for Rn :
Bearing @ bolt holes:
checking Lc and 2 db ;

22 mm 2 db = 2 ((22 mm )) = 44 mm
Lc = 80 mm - ――― = 69 mm
2
Since Lc > 2 db , therefore
use Rn = 2.4 dbtpFu

Rn = 2.4 ((22 mm )) ((12 mm )) ((400 MPa )) = 253.44 kN

ϕRn = 0.75 ⋅ 253.44 kN = 190.08 kN

Shear strength of bolts:

Rn ⎛ ((22 mm )) 2 ⋅ π ⎞
= FnvAb = 372 MPa ⋅ ⎜――――― ⎟ = 141.409 kN
⎝ 4 ⎠
ϕRn = 0.75 ⋅ 173.721 kN = 130.291 kN ----- governs

Since the shear strength of bolts is much lesser than the bearing strength at
bolt holes, therefore the ϕRn of the bolt shear must governs.

Solve for the factored shear:

Vu = 1.2 ⎛⎝VD⎞⎠ + 1.6 ⎛⎝VL⎞⎠ = 1.2 ((185 kN )) + 1.6 ((225 kN )) = 582 kN

Now, the spacing of bolts, s :

ϕRn ⎛⎝INA⎞⎠ 141.409 kN ⋅ ⎛⎝4.45 ⋅ 10 8 ⎞⎠ mm 4

s = ―――― = ―――――――――― = 139.53 mm say 135 mm
VuQ 582 kN ⋅ ⎛⎝⎛⎝7.749 ⋅ 10 5 ⎞⎠ mm 3 ⎞⎠

check smax :

‾‾‾
E ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
200000 MPa
smax = tp ((0.75)) ⋅ ― = 12 mm ⋅ 0.75 ⋅ ――――― = 255.583 mm < 300 mm
Fy 248 MPa

since s < smax , therefore use s .

So, we can have a spacing of 135 mm center to center on

each of the 22 mm diameter A325 bolts.
Example 2-14

The given problem involves a beam created by joining two W200 × 100 sections through bolts,
as depicted in figure below. At a certain section of the beam, the computed external shear
forces are 40kN due to the dead load and the live load VL . All steels are ASTM A992. The 20-
mm diameter A325 bolts used in a bearing type connection with threads excluded in shear
plane are spaced in maximum distance. Determine the maximum value of Vu that the
connection can carry. Assume that shear strength of bolt governs over the bearing strength at
bolt holes. Use LRFD. ϕ = 0.75

A325 bolt: Fnv = 457 MPa

π
Ab = ―((20 mm )) 2 = 314.159 mm 2
4

W200 x 100 Properties

A = 12 700 mm 2
b =210 mm
tw = 14.5 mm
tf = 23.7 mm
d = 229 mm
Ixx = 113 × 106 mm 4
Fy =345 MPa,
Fu =448 MPa

Aplate
Check if ――≤ 70%
Aft

23.7 mm ((210 mm ))
―――――――― = 0.5 = 50% < 70% Okay
23.7 mm ((210 mm )) 2

Solve for INA and Q :

⎛ ⎛ 229 mm ⎞ 2 ⎞
INA = 2 ⎜⎛⎝113 ⋅ 10 6 mm 4 ⎞⎠ + ⎛⎝12700 mm 2 ⎞⎠ ⎜―――⎟ ⎟ = ⎛⎝5.59 ⋅ 10 8 ⎞⎠ mm 4
⎝ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎠
229 mm
Q = Ay = 12700 mm 2 ⋅ ―――= ⎛⎝1.454 ⋅ 10 6 ⎞⎠ mm 3
2

Solve for Rn :
 Solve for Rn :

Rn = FnvAb = 457 MPa ⋅ 314.159 mm 2 = 143.571 kN

ϕRn = 0.75 ⋅ 143.571 kN = 107.678 kN

Solve for the maximum spacing:

‾‾‾
E
smax = tf ((0.75)) ⋅ ― ≤ 300 mm
Fy
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
200000 MPa
= 23.7 mm ⋅ 0.75 ⋅ ――――― = 427.972 mm > 300 mm
345 MPa
since the smax is greater than 300 mm , we will use
300 mm

Now solve for Vu using the formula for spacing of bolts

ϕRn ⎛⎝INA⎞⎠
s = ――――
VuQ

107.678 kN ⋅ 5.59 ⋅ 10 8 mm 4
Vu = ――――――――― = 137.992 kN
300 mm ⋅ ⎛⎝1.454 ⋅ 10 6 mm 3 ⎞⎠
Vu = 1.2 ⎛⎝VD⎞⎠ + 1.6 ⎛⎝VL⎞⎠
((137.992 kN - 1.2 ((40 kN ))))
VL = ―――――――――= 56.245 kN
1.6
Therefore, the maximum value for VL is 56.245 kN .

Example 2-15

As shown in the figure below, two C380 × 60 channels are bolted together by A490 bolts in a
bearing type connection with threads in shear plane and spaced 200 mm apart along the
length of the beam. All steels are ASTM A992. It requires to carry vertical shear, Vu that it is
Example 2-15

As shown in the figure below, two C380 × 60 channels are bolted together by A490 bolts in a
bearing type connection with threads in shear plane and spaced 200 mm apart along the
length of the beam. All steels are ASTM A992. It requires to carry vertical shear, Vu that it is
47 kN . Design the size of the bolt that can carry the required load?

C380x60 Properties
tf = 16.5 mm
tw = 13.2 mm
Ag = 7570 mm 2
h = 381 mm
b = 89 mm
Ix = 145 ⋅ 10 6 mm 4
Iy = 3.84 ⋅ 10 6 mm 4
x = 19.7 mm

Steel Properties
Fy = 345 MPa
Fu = 448 MPa

A490 bolt: Fnv = 457 MPa

Aplate
Check if ――≤ 70%
Aft

16.5 mm ((381 mm ))
―――――――― = 0.5 = 50% < 70% Okay
16.5 mm ((381 mm )) 2
Solve for INA and Q :
 16.5 mm ((381 mm ))
―――――――― = 0.5
16.5 mm ((381 mm )) 2
Solve for INA and Q :

INA = 2 ⎛⎝⎛⎝3.84 ⋅ 10 6 mm 4 ⎞⎠ + ⎛⎝7570 mm 2 ⎞⎠ ((19.7 mm )) 2 ⎞⎠ = ⎛⎝1.356 ⋅ 10 7 ⎞⎠ mm 4

Q = Ay = 7570 mm 2 ⋅ 19.7 mm = ⎛⎝1.491 ⋅ 10 5 ⎞⎠ mm 3

Now solve for ϕRn using the formula for spacing of bolts

ϕRn ⎛⎝INA⎞⎠
s = ――――
VuQ

200 mm ⋅ 47 kN ⋅ 1.491 ⋅ 10 5 mm 3
ϕRn = ――――――――――― = 103.358 kN
⎛⎝1.356 ⋅ 10 7 mm 4 ⎞⎠

Using ϕRn , solve for Ab ;

ϕRn = ϕFnvAb
103.358 kN
Ab = ―――――― = 301.555 mm 2
0.75 ((457 MPa ))

Now we solve for the diameter using Ab

db 2 ⋅ π
Ab = ―――
4

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ 4
db = 301.555 mm 2 ⋅ ―= 19.595 mm say 20 mm
π

Therefore, we can use 20 mm diameter of A490 bolts to

carry the required load.