BOLTED CONNECTIONS – I

BOLTED CONNECTIONS – I
33
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Connections form an important part of any structure and are designed more
conservatively than members. This is because, connections are more complex than
members to analyse, and the discrepancy between analysis and actual behaviour is large.
Further, in case of overloading, we prefer the failure confined to an individual member
rather than in connections, which could affect many members.

Connections account for more than half the cost of structural steelwork and so their
design and detailing are of primary importance for the economy of the structure.

The type of connection designed has an influence on member design and so must be
decided even prior to the design of the structural system and design of members. For
example, in the design of bolted tension members, the net area is calculated assuming a
suitable number and diameter of bolts based on experience. Therefore, it is necessary to
verify the net area after designing the connection. Similarly in the analysis of frames, the
member forces are determined by assuming the connections to be pinned, rigid, or semi-
rigid, as the actual behaviour cannot be precisely defined.

Just as members are classified as bending members or axially loaded members depending
on the dominant force/moment resisted, connections are also classified into idealised
types while designing. But the actual behaviour of the connection may be different and
this point should always be kept in mind so that the connection designed does not differ
significantly from the intended type. Take for example, the connection of an axially
loaded truss member at a joint. If the truss is assumed to be pin jointed, then the member
should ideally be connected by means of a single pin or bolt. However, in practice, if the
pin or bolt diameter works out to be larger than that possible, more than one bolt will be
used. The truss can then be considered pin-jointed only if the bending due to self-weight
or other superimposed loads is negligible. Note that the connection behaviour will also
influence the calculation of the effective length for the buckling analysis of struts.

The connections provided in steel structures can be classified as 1) riveted 2) bolted and
3) welded connections. Riveted connections were once very popular and are still used in
some cases but will gradually be replaced by bolted connections. This is due to the low
strength of rivets, higher installation costs and the inherent inefficiency of the connection.
Welded connections have the advantage that no holes need to be drilled in the member
and consequently have higher efficiencies. However, welding in the field may be
difficult, costly, and time consuming. Welded connections are also susceptible to failure
by cracking under repeated cyclic loads due to fatigue which may be due to working
loads such as trains passing over a bridge (high-cycle fatigue) or earthquakes (low-cycle
fatigue). A special type of bolted connection using High Strength Friction Grip (HSFG)

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bolts has been found to perform better under such conditions than the conventional black
bolts used to resist predominantly static loading. Bolted connections are also easy to
inspect and replace. The choice of using a particular type of connection is entirely that of
the designer and he should take his decision based on a good understanding of the
connection behaviour, economy and speed of construction.

In this chapter, the different types of bolts and bolted connections used in steel structures
are introduced. The scope of the present chapter is limited to bolted connections used in
tension and compression members as well as in hangers. Bolted connections, which resist
moments and connections between structural members, will be covered in the next
chapter.

2.0 BOLTED CONNECTIONS

Connections can also be classified in the following ways:

(a) Classification based on the type of resultant force transferred: The bolted connections
are referred to as concentric connections (force transfer in tension and compression
member), eccentric connections (in reaction transferring brackets) or moment resisting
connections (in beam to column connections in frames).

Ideal concentric connections should have only one bolt passing through all the members
meeting at a joint [Fig. 1(a)]. However, in practice, this is not usually possible and so it is
only ensured that the centroidal axes of the members meet at one point [See Fig. 1(b)].

(a) (b)
Fig. 1 Concentric Connections

The Moment connections are more complex to analyse compared to the above two types
and are shown in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b). The connection in Fig. 2(a) is also known as
bracket connection and the resistance is only through shear in the bolts.

The connection shown in Fig. 2(b) is often found in moment resisting frames where the
beam moment is transferred to the column. The connection is also used at the base of the
column where a base plate is connected to the foundation by means of anchor bolts. In
this connection, the bolts are subjected to a combination of shear and axial tension.
Moment resisting connections will be dealt with in the next chapter.

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(a) (b)
Fig. 2 Moment Connections

(b) Classification based on the type of force experienced by the bolts: The bolted
connections can also be classified based on geometry and loading conditions into three
types namely, shear connections, tension connections and combined shear and tension
connections.

Typical shear connections occur as a lap or a butt joint used in the tension members [See
Fig. 3]. While the lap joint has a tendency to bend so that the forces tend to become
collinear, the butt joint requires cover plates. Since the load acts in the plane of the plates,
the load transmission at the joint will ultimately be through shearing forces in the bolts.
In the case of lap joint or a single cover plate butt joint, there is only one shearing plane,
and so the bolts are said to be in single shear. In the case of double cover butt joint, there
are two shearing planes and so the bolts will be in double shear. It should be noted that
the single cover type butt joint is nothing but lap joints in series and also bends so that the
centre of the cover plate becomes collinear with the forces.

(a) Lap Connection (b) Butt Connection

Fig. 3 Shear Connections

A hanger connection is shown in Fig. 4(a). In this connection, load transmission is by

pure tension in the bolts. In the connection shown in Fig. 4(b), the bolts are subjected to
both tension and shear.

(c) Classification based on force transfer mechanism by bolts: The bolted connections are
classified as bearing type (bolts bear against the holes to transfer the force) or friction
type (force transfer between the plates due to the clamping force generated by the pre–
tensioning of the bolts). The force transfer in either case is discussed in more detail later.

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Support

(a) (b)

Fig. 4 (a) Tension Connection (b) Tension plus Shear Connection

3.0 BOLTS AND BOLTING

Bolts used in steel structures are of three types: 1) Black Bolts, 2) Turned and Fitted
Bolts and 3) High Strength Friction Grip (HSFG) Bolts.

The International Standards Organisation designation for bolts, also followed in India, is
given by Grade x.y. In this nomenclature, x indicates one-tenth of the minimum ultimate
tensile strength of the bolt in kgf/mm2 and the second number, y, indicates one-tenth of
the ratio of the yield stress to ultimate stress, expressed as a percentage. Thus, for
example, grade 4.6 bolt will have a minimum ultimate strength 40 kgf/mm2 (392 Mpa)
and minimum yield strength of 0.6 times 40, which is 24 kgf/mm2 (235 Mpa).

Black bolts are unfinished and are made of mild steel and are usually of Grade 4.6. Black
bolts have adequate strength and ductility when used properly; but while tightening the
nut snug tight (“Snug tight” is defined as the tightness that exists when all plies in a joint
are in firm contact) will twist off easily if tightened too much. Turned –and- fitted bolts
have uniform shanks and are inserted in close tolerance drilled holes and made snug tight
by box spanners. The diameter of the hole is about 1.5 to 2.0 mm larger than the bolt
diameter for ease in fitting. High strength black bolts (grade 8.8) may also be used in
connections in which the bolts are tightened snug fit.

In these bearing type of connections, the plates are in firm contact but may slip under
loading until the hole surface bears against the bolt .The load transmitted from plate to
bolt is therefore by bearing and the bolt is in shear. Under dynamic loads, the nuts are
liable to become loose and so these bolts are not allowed for use under such loading. In
situations where small slips can cause significant effects as in beam splices, black bolts
are not preferred. However, due to the lower cost of the bolt and its installation, black
bolts are quite popular in simple structures subjected to static loading.

Turned and fitted bolts are available from grade 4.6 to grade 8.8. For the higher grades
there is no definite yield point and so 0.2% proof stress is used.

High Strength Friction Grip bolts (HSFG) provide extremely efficient connections and
perform well under fluctuating/fatigue load conditions. These bolts should be tightened to
their proof loads and require hardened washers to distribute the load under the bolt heads.

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The washers are usually tapered when used on rolled steel sections. The tension in the
bolt ensures that no slip takes place under working conditions and so the load
transmission from plate to the bolt is through friction and not by bearing. However, under
ultimate load, the friction may be overcome leading to a slip and so bearing will govern
the design.

HSFG bolts are made from quenched and tempered alloy steels with grades from 8.8 to
10.9. The most common are, the so-called, general grade of 8.8 and have medium carbon
content, which makes them less ductile. The 10.9 grade have a much higher tensile
strength, but lower ductility and the margin between the 0.2% yield strength and the
ultimate strength is also lower.

The tightening of HSFG bolts can be done by either of the following methods:

1. Turn-of-nut tightening method: In this method the bolts are first made snug tight and
then turned by specific amounts (usually either half or three-fourth turns) to induce
tension equal to the proof load.
2. Calibrated wrench tightening method: In this method the bolts are tightened by a
wrench calibrated to produce the required tension.
3. Alternate design bolt installation: In this method special bolts are used which indicate
the bolt tension. Presently such bolts are not available in India.
4. Direct tension indicator method: In this method special washers with protrusions are
used [Fig. 5(b)]. As the bolt is tightened, these protrusions are compressed and the gap
produced by them gets reduced in proportion to the load. This gap is measured by means
of a feeler gauge, consisting of small bits of steel plates of varying thickness, which can
be inserted into the gap.

¾ turn
position
snug-tight 0.1 mm
position
Feeler gauge
(a) (b)
Fig. 5 Tightening of HSFG bolts

Since HSFG bolts under working loads, do not rely on resistance from bearing, holes
larger than usual can be provided to ease erection and take care of lack-of-fit. Typical
hole types that can be used are standard, extra large and short or long slotted. These are
shown in Fig. 6. However the type of hole will govern the strength of the connection.

Holes must also satisfy pitch and edge/end distance criteria. A minimum pitch is usually
specified for accommodating the spanner and to limit adverse interaction between the
bearing stresses on neighbouring bolts. Maximum pitch criteria takes care of buckling of
the plies under compressive loads.

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(a) Standard (b) Oversized

(c )Short Slot (d) Long slot

Fig. 6 Hole types for HSFG bolts

4.0 FORCE TRANSFER MECHANISM

In this section the force transfer mechanisms of bearing and friction type of bolted
connections are described. This would help in identifying the modes of failure discussed
in the next section.

4.1 Force transfer by shear in bolts

Fig. 7(a) shows the free body diagram of the shear force transfer in bearing type of bolted
connection. It is seen that tension in one plate is equilibrated by the bearing stress
between the bolt and the hole in the plate. Since there is a clearance between the bolt and
the hole in which it is fitted, the bearing stress is mobilised only after the plates slip
relative to one another and start bearing on the bolt .The section x-x in the bolt is critical
section for shear. Since it is a lap joint there is only one critical section in shear (single
shear) in the bolt .In the case of butt splices there would be two critical sections in the
bolt in shear (double shear), corresponding to the two cover plates.

The free body diagram of an HSFG connection is shown in Fig. 7(b). It can be seen that
the pretension in the bolt causes clamping forces between the plates even before the
external load is applied. When the external load is applied, the tendency of two plates to
slip against one another is resisted by the friction between the plates. The frictional
resistance is equal to the coefficient of friction multiplied by the normal clamping force
between the plates. Until the externally applied force exceeds this frictional resistance the
relative slip between the plates is prevented. The HSFG connections are designed such
that under service load the force does not exceed the frictional resistance so that the
relative slip is avoided during service. When the external force exceeds the frictional
resistance the plates slip until the bolts come into contact with the plate and start bearing
against the hole. Beyond this point the external force is resisted by the combined action
of the frictional resistance and the bearing resistance.

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T
Bearing stresses
x x

T
(a) Bearing Connection

T Tension
in bolt
Frictional Force, T
Clamping Force, PO
T
Clamping
Force, PO
(b) Friction Connection
Fig. 7 Bolt Shear Transfer – Free Body Diagram

4.2 Transfer of tension by bolts

The free body diagram of the tension transfer in a bearing type of bolted connection is
shown in Fig. 8(a). The variation of bolt tension due to externally applied tension is
shown in Fig. 8(c). It is seen that before any external tension is applied, the force in the
bolt is almost zero, since the bolts are only snug tight. As the external tension is increased
it is equilibrated by the increase in bolt tension. Failure is reached due to large elongation
when the root of the bolt starts yielding. Depending on the relative flexibility of the plate
and the bolt, sometimes the opening of the joint may be accompanied by prying action
[Fig. 8(d)].

The free body diagram of an HSFG bolted connection is shown in Fig. 8(b). It is seen that
even before any external load is applied, the force in the bolt is equal to proof load.
Correspondingly there is a clamping force between the plates in contact. When the
external load is applied, part of the load (nearly 10%) of the load is equilibrated by the
increase in the bolt force. The balance of the force is equilibrated by the reduction in
contact between the plates. This process continues and the contact between the plates is
maintained until the contact force due to pre-tensioning is reduced to zero by the
externally applied load. Normally, the design is done such that the externally applied
tension does not exceed this level. After the external force exceeds this level, the
behaviour of the bolt under tension is essentially the same as that in a bearing type of
joint.

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2T 2T

T T To To To +∆T To +∆T
(a) Bearing type connection (b) HSFG Connection

Bolt
force
B kN 2T
HSFG

Proof B b n
Load Bearing type
Po A

Q Q
Applied load 2T (kN)
T+Q T+Q

( c) External Tension (d) Prying Effect

versus bolt force

Fig. 8 Bolts under tension and prying effect

The design formula for minimum prying force is given by (Owens and Cheal, 1989)

{ EMBED Equation.3 } (1)

where, b is the distance from the bolt centreline to the toe of the fillet weld or to half the
root radius for a rolled section (see Fig. 8d); n = distance between prying force and bolt
centreline and is the minimum of, either the end distance, or the value given by eq.(2); β
= 2 for non pre-loaded bolt; γ = 1.5 for limit state design; w = the effective width of
flange per pair of bolts; po = the proof stress in consistent units and t is the thickness of
the end plate.

{ EMBED Equation.3 } (2)

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Even if the bolts are strong enough to carry the additional prying forces, the plate can fail
by developing a mechanism with yield lines at the centreline of the bolt and at the
distance b from it. Therefore, the minimum thickness of the end plate (t), to avoid
yielding of the plate, can be obtained by equating the moment in the plate at the bolt
centreline (point A) and at the distance b from it (point B), to the plastic moment capacity
of the plate Mp . Thus,

{ EMBED Equation.3 } (3)

{ EMBED Equation.3 } (4)

taking Mp as

{ EMBED Equation.3 } (5)

the minimum thickness for the end plate can be obtained as

{ EMBED Equation.3 } (6)

The corresponding prying force can then be obtained as Q = Mp /n. If the total force in the
bolt (T+Q) exceeds the tensile capacity of the bolt, then the thickness of the end plate
will have to be increased.

5.0 FAILURE OF CONNECTIONS

5.1 Connections in shear

The failure of connections with bearing bolts in shear involves either bolt failure or the
failure of the connected plates. In the case of HSFG bolts, however, it may simply be a
slip between the connected plates. In this section, the failure modes are described along
with the codal provisions for design and detailing shear connections.

5.1.1 Bearing bolts

In connections made with bearing type of bolts, the behaviour is linear until i) yielding
takes place at the net section of the plate under combined tension and flexure or ii)
shearing takes place at the bolt shear plane or iii) failure of bolt takes place in bearing, iv)
failure of plate takes place in bearing and v) block shear failure occurs. Of these the first
is discussed in the chapter on tension members while the last is described separately in
section 5.4. The remaining three is described below.

1. Shearing of bolts: The shearing of bolts can take place in the threaded portion of the
bolt and so the area at the root of the threads, also called the tensile stress area At, is taken
as the shear area As. The shear area is specified in the code and is usually about 0.8 times
the shank area. However, if it is ensured that the threads will not lie in the shear plane
then the full area can be taken as the shear area. The shear strength per bolt is given by

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{ EMBED Equation.3 }
(7)

where ps is the ultimate shear stress in the bolt given in Table 1.

2. Bearing failure of bolt: If the connected plates are made of high strength steel then
failure of bolt can take place by bearing. The bearing strength per bolt is given by

{ EMBED Equation.3 }
(8)

where, pbb is the permissible bearing stress, d is the nominal diameter of the bolt and t is
the combined thickness of the thinner plates bearing on the bolt in any direction. This
governs the design when grade 4.6 bolts are used in plates of grade 43and 50 steels.

3. Bearing failure of plates: If the plate material is weaker than the bolt material, then
failure will occur by bearing of the bolt on the plate. The beating area is given by the
nominal diameter of the bolt times the combined thickness of the plates bearing in any
direction. The bearing strength of plate is given by

Pbs = pbs d t ≤ ½ e t pbs (9)

where, pbs is the permissible bearing stress for the plate (given in Table 2 for some
standard grades of steel) and e is the end distance. Note that this governs the design in the
case of grade 4.6 bolts in ST-42-S steel and HSFG bolts in all grades of steel.

(a) Zone of
(b)
plastification

(c)

Fig. 9 Types of failures in a shear connection (a) Shearing of bolts

(b) Bearing failure of plate (c) Bearing failure of bolt
In addition to the above, the plate may also tear or burst at the edge due to inadequate
edge distance. Therefore, to develop the full bearing stress, the bolt has to have adequate
distance from the edge of the plate. The minimum edge distance specified in BS 5950 is
1.4D where D is the diameter of the bolt hole. For end distances e less than 2d, the
bearing value is proportionally reduced.

Table .1 Bolt strengths in clearance holes in MPa

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Bolt strengths Bolt grade

4.6 8.8
Shear strength ps 160 375
Bearing strength pbb 435 970
Tension strength pt 195 450

Table 2 Bearing strengths of connected parts in MPa

Steel grade ST42S Gr.43 Gr.50

Bearing bolts pbs 418 460 550
HSFG bolts pbg 650 825 1065

The underlying assumption behind the design of bolted connections, namely that all bolts
carry equal load is not true in some cases as mentioned below.

In long joints, the bolts farther away from the centre of the joint will carry more load than
the bolts located close to the centre. Therefore, for joints having more than two bolts on
either side with the distance between the first and the last bolt exceeding 500 mm, the
shear capacity of the bolts is reduced as follows:

{ EMBED Equation.3 } (10)

where Lj = length of the joint. Similarly, if the grip length exceeds five times the nominal
diameter, the strength is reduced as specified in BS 5950. In multibolt connections, due to
hole mismatch, all the bolts may not carry the same load. However, under ultimate load,
due to high bearing ductility of the plates considerable redistribution of the load is
possible and so the assumption that all bolts carry equal load may be considered valid.

5.1.2 HSFG bolts

HSFG bolts will come into bearing only after slip takes place. Therefore if slip is critical
(i.e. if slip cannot be allowed) then one has to calculate the slip resistance, which will
govern the design. However, if slip is not critical, and limit state method is used then
bearing failure can occur at the Limit State of collapse and needs to be checked. Even in
the Limit State method, since HSFG bolts are designed to withstand working loads
without slipping, the slip resistance needs to be checked anyway as a Serviceability Limit
State.
1. Slip Resistance: Slip Resistance of parallel shank HSFG bolts is given by an
expression similar to the frictional force between surfaces in contact.

Slip resistance per bolt Psl = 1.1 Ks µ Po (11)

where Ks is a factor which takes care of the frictional area in different hole types (K s =
1.0 for clearance holes, Ks = 0.85 for oversized holes and long slots perpendicular to the
load and Ks = 0.6 for long slots parallel to the load); µ is the slip factor = 0.45 for
untreated (non-galvanised, non-painted) surfaces and Po is the proof load (see Table 3).

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2. Bearing strength: The bearing strength of plates for parallel shank friction grip
fasteners is given by

Bearing strength Pbg = pbg d t ≤ 1/3 e t pbg (12)

where e is the end distance and pbg is the bearing stress given in Table 2.

Table 3 Design Capacities of HSFG bolts

Nominal dia. φ (mm) 16 20 22 24 27 30 36

Proof Load Po (kN) 92.1 144.0 177.0 207.0 234.0 286.0 418.0
Ten.cap. Pt = 0.9Po kN 82.9 129.6 159.3 186.3 210.6 257.4 376.2
Slip cap Psl kN 45.6 71.3 87.6 102.5 115.8 141.6 206.9
Note: Proof stress po = 576 MPa for φ ≤ 24 and = 510 MPa for φ > 24

5.2 Tension Failure

In a tension or hanger connection, the applied load produces tension in the bolts. If the
attached plate is allowed to deform, additional tensile forces called prying forces are
developed in the bolts as shown in Fig. 8. The prying forces can be kept small by using a
thick plate or by limiting the distance between the bolt and the plate edge. Black bolts
and turned and fitted bolts have sufficient ductility which takes care of prying forces
simply by an increase in the bolt strain under constant yield stress. Tensile stresses
recommended by BS 5950 for grade 4.6 and grade 8.8 bolts are 195 and 450 N/mm2
respectively. However, HSFG bolts which are pre-tensioned and which have less ductility
are susceptible to failure and so are normally designed to take only 0.9 times their proof
load.

5.3 Combined Shear and tension failure

In the case of black bolts subjected to combined action of shear and tension the following
relation has to be satisfied.
{ EMBED Equation.3 } (13)
where, Fs = applied shear, Ft = applied tension, Ps = shear capacity and Pt = tension
capacity. This gives a trilinear interaction curve as shown in Fig. 10.

For HSFG bolts subjected to combined action of shear and tension, the following relation
has to be satisfied.
Fs F
+ 0.8 t ≤ 1.0 (14)
Psl Pt

Fs/Ps
1.0

0.4 Ft/Pt
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5.4 Block shear

Failure by block shear occurs when a portion of the member tears out in a combination of
tension and shear. The equations given for block shear in the chapter on Tension
Members are repeated here. The strength as governed by block shear is the minimum of

{ EMBED Equation.3 } (15)

{ EMBED Equation.3 }

Check for block shear should be carried out when using high strength bolts with
minimum pitch and edge distances and in coped sections.

B C

Fig. 11 Block Shear

6.0 SUMMARY

Different types of bolted connections were described and classified. The bearing and
friction grip bolts were introduced and their installation procedures described. The force
transfer mechanisms were explained and the failure modes and corresponding strength
calculations were given. This will help in the design of simple bolted connections as in
the worked examples.

7.0 REFERENCES

1. Owens. G.W and Cheal. B.D., (1989): ‘Structural Steelwork Connections’,

Butterworths.

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2. Owens G.W and Knowles P.R., (1994): ‘Steel Designers Manual’, The Steel
Construction Institute, Blackwell Scientific Publications, ELBS 5th edition.

3. Geschwindner L.F. et al (1994): ‘Load and Resistance Factor Design of Steel

Structures’, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Job No: Sheet 1 of 1 Rev

Structural Steel Job Title: Bolted Connections
Design Project Worked Example – 1 Lap joint
Made by Date
Calculation Sheet SRSK 15-07-00
Checked by Date
RN

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Design Example 1: Design a Lap joint between plates 65 × 8 as shown in Remarks

Fig. E1 below so as to transmit a factored load of 45 kN using black bolts of
16mm diameter and grade 4.6. The plates are made of steel of grade ST-42-S.

65mm × 8mm plate

45 kN

Fig. E1
65

40 30
Solution:
1) Strength Calculations:
Nominal diameter of bolt d= 16 mm,
hole diameter D = 16 +1.5 = 17.5 mm

Shear Area of one bolt As = 0.8A = 0.8 x 201.06 = 161 mm2

Shear strength of each bolt = ps As = 160 × 161 × 10-3 = 25.76 kN Eq. (7)

Since pbb for bolt is greater than pbs of plate, plate will fail in bearing before
the bolt.
Bearing strength of plate = pbs d t = 418 × 16 × 8 × 10-3 = 53.5 kN Eq. (9)

Therefore, bolt value = 25.76 kN

No. of bolts required = 45/25.76 = 1.75 say 2 bolts

2)Detailing:
Minimum pitch = 2.5 d = 40 mm

Minimum edge distance = 1.4 D = 24.5 mm say 25 mm

Provide 2 bolts as shown.

Job No: Sheet 1 of 1 Rev

Structural Steel Job Title: Bolted Connections
Worked Example – 2 Hanger joint
Design Project Made by Date15-7-00
Calculation Sheet SRSK
Checked by Date
RN

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Design Example 2: Design a hanger joint along with an end plate to Remarks
carry a downward load of 330 kN. Use end plate size 240 mm × 160 mm
and appropriate thickness and M25 HSFG bolts (2 nos).
Solution
Assume 10mm fillet weld between the hanger plate and the end plate
Distance from center line of bolt to toe of fillet weld b = 60 mm
1) For minimum thickness design, M = Tb/2 = 165 × 60/2 = 4950 N-m
{ EMBED Equation.3 }
2) Check for prying forces
distance’n’ from center line of bolt to prying force is the minimum of
edge distance or 1.1t√ (βpo /f y) = 1.1 x 25 √ (2×510/236) = 57 mm
∴ n = 40 mm Eq. (6)
prying force = M/n = 4950/40= 123.75 kN
bolt load = 165+123.75=288.75 kN
tension capacity of 25 mm dia HSFG bolt = 0.9Po b n
=0.9×195.6=176 kN << 288.75 unsafe !
Q Eq. (2)
Table 3
3) In order to reduce the load on bolt to a value less than the bolt 20 thick
capacity, a thicker end plate will have to be used. 2T hanger
Allowable prying force Q = 176-165 = 11 kN palte
Trying a 40 mm thick end plate gives n = 40 mm as before
Moment at toe of weld = Tb-Qn = 165 × 60 – 11 × 40 = 9460 N-m
Moment capacity = (236/1.15)(160 × 402 /4) ×10-3
= 13134 N-m > 9460 OK
Minimum prying force
{ EMBED Equation.3 }
= 2.4 kN < 11 kN ∴ safe! Eq. (3)

Therefore, 40 mm end plate needs to be used to avoid significant prying

action.

Eq. (1)

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