8-Bolt Connection

Failure of STRUCTURAL MEMBERS is rare;

most STRUCTURAL FAILURES are the result

of poorly designed or detailed connections.

 8-Bolt Connection

Why?
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In many cases, the connections are not designed by the same

engineer who designs the rest of the structure, but by
someone associated with the steel fabricator who furnishes
the material for the project.
Example: Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel Walkways Collapse
Erroneous resulted in the box beam splitting open at the weld joint and
the rod pulling the washer through, resulting in the collapse:
 8-Bolt Connection

9-4.2 Slip-Critical Connections (Friction Type)

Slip-critical connections are designed such that sliding is prevented.

Sliding will ensure only if the friction force that resists the sliding is overcome.
 8-Bolt Connection

From statics, the friction force is equal to the normal clamping force(N) multiplied
by the coefficient of friction(µ):

Ffr = µ N

The slip resistance is defined from NSCP Eqn. 510.3-4 by the formula:

Rn = (µ hsc)(Du Tb Ns)
 8-Bolt Connection

Where:

µ - friction coefficient and is dependent on the smoothness of the connected surfaces

The surfaces are classified into 2 types:

Class A = smoother surface(coefficient is lower)

= 0.35

Class B = rougher surface

= 0.50

hsc = hole factor

= 1.0 (standard hole)
= 0.85 (oversized and short-slotted hole)
= 0.70 (long-slotted hole)
 8-Bolt Connection

Du = 1.13 (This is multiplier that reflects the ratio of the mean installed bolt pretension
to the specified minimum bolt pretension.)

This value is applicable when using turn-of-the nut tightening method wherein
actual bolt pretension is assumed to be 13% higher than the pretension values

Tb = see Table of Pretension (consequently the compression force on the plates)

Ns = no. of slip planes or shear planes

Ns = 1 Ns = 2
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For high-strength bolts in slip critical connections, the factors differ depending on the
considerations in the design according to the NSCP 510.3.8.

At Serviceability limit state, loads are still not factored. To prevent sliding at this level
of forces, the factors are:

 = 1.00 (LRFD)
Ω = 1.50 (ASD)

At Strength limit state, sliding is still not allowed, the more stringent factors are:

 = 0.85 (LRFD)
Ω = 1.76 (ASD)
 8-Bolt Connection
Example:

Using LRFD, determine the maximum force that the splice connection shown can carry.
The splice is made up of 2-PL300x12 at the left and a PL300x20 at the right of A-50 steel.

The bolts are 8-20mm A325-F bolts with oversized holes. Assume that the bolt service load
Deformation for bearing is not critical. Also, assume that the surfaces are Class A.

50 50 50 50
50
50

70

80
T T
80

70

T/2
T/2 T
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Solution:

The total thickness of the plates at the left is 2x12=24mm and is thicker than the plate
at the right (20mm). Therefore, the plate at the right is critical and the tensile capacity of this
plate is to be evaluated.

1. Check Plate Capacity.

a. The yield capacity of the 20mm plate is:

T =  Fy Ag
= 0.9(345 N/mm2)(300mm)(20mm)/1000
= 1863 kN
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b. The Rupture capacity of the 20mm plate is:

50 50 50 50
A
70
B
80
C
80
D
70
E

Considering A-B-D-E:
Net width, bn = 300 -2(20+4+2)
= 248 mm
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Consider A-B-C-D-E:
50 50 50 50
A
70
B
80
C
80
D
70

s²/ 4g

Net width = 300 -3(26) + [ 2 x 50² ]

4x80
= 237.625 mm < 248 mm

Therefore, path A-B-C-D-E is the critical path.

 8-Bolt Connection

The rupture capacity of the plate is:

T =  Ae Fu = 0.75(428)(20)(237.625)/1000

=1525.55 kN
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2.) Check bolt capacity:

a. Shear capacity:

The shear capacity of a A325-F bolt is given by Eqn. 8:

Rn = (µ hsc)(Du Tb Ns)

= 0.35(0.85)(1.13)(142)(2)

= 95.47 kN
The c-c spacing (100 > 3x20 = 60 and the edge distance (50 = 2.5x20) are not
critical, and therefore crushing failure of the steel plate is critical.

Hence, use Eqn. 2:

Rn = 3.0 dtFu
= 3(20)(20)(428)/1000
=513.60 kN > 95.47 kN
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Therefore, the single bolt capacity is:

Fbolt = 0.9(95.47 kN)

= 85.92 kN

This is multiplied with the total number of bolts in the connection:

T = 8(85.92 kN)
= 687.36 kN
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Now, the all the capacities are compared (1863 kN, 1525.55 kN, 687.36 kN).

And the least value prevails:

Therefore,

T = 687.36 kN