MBEYA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN
CEB 4129

21-12-2020 INSTRUCTOR: RICHARD MKINDO 1

 CIVIL ENGINERING DEPARTMENT

STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

CEB 4129

LECTURE: 07

BOLT CONNECTIONS
21-12-2020 INSTRUCTOR: RICHARD MKINDO 2
 PRINCIPAL METHODS FOR CONNECTIONS

There are two principal methods for connecting together steels

elements of structure, and the various cleats, end plates, etc.
1.Bolting
2.Welding
1.Bolting
A bolt may be considered as a simple pin inserted in holes drilled in
two or more steel plates or sections to prevent relative movement.

A bolt may sometimes strengthen the joint by pressing the two plates
together but this strength cannot always be easily determined.
1.Bolting
If the loads are large enough then the bolt may fail by shearing.

The area resisting this failure is the circular area of the bolt shank, or
the tensile stress area if the threads are in the shear plane.

Double shear
1.Bolting
The shear type of failure assumes fairly thick plates capable of
shearing the bolt. However, when a relatively large diameter bolt,
say 24 mm diameter, connects two thin steel plates, say 4 mm, failure
will take place when the steel plates are torn by the bolt. This type
of failure is known as bearing or tearing.
1.Bolting
The area of contact of the bolt with the plate on one side is actually
semi-cylindrical, but since the variation of stress around the perimeter
of the hole is indeterminate, the strength of the bolt in bearing is taken
as the thickness of the plate multiplied by the diameter of the bolt
multiplied by the bearing strength.
1.Bolting
Where the thicknesses of the plates are not equal, the thinner plate
will tear first, so the thickness of the thinner plate is taken in the
above product
Design strengths
The design strengths of bolts are given in the Tables 30 and 31(BS
5950-1,2000).
Design strengths
The Bearing strengths of bolts are given in the Tables 32
Design strengths
The Bearing strengths of bolts are given in the Tables 32
Design strengths
The strengths tabulated
above are based on As,
the shear area, for all
bolts. Since threads can
occur in the shear plane,
As is then taken as the

tensile stress area, At.

Design strengths
The strengths tabulated
above are based on As,
the shear area, for all
bolts. Since threads can
occur in the shear plane,
As is then taken as the

tensile stress area, At.

Bolt grades
The strength of the bolt is given by two figures separated by a point.
The first figure is 1/10th of the minimum ultimate strength in
kgf/mm2 and the second is 1/10th of the percentage ratio of the
minimum yield stress to the minimum ultimate stress. Thus ‘4.6
grade’ means that the minimum ultimate strength is 40 kgf/mm 2 and
the yield strength is 60 per cent of this. It follows that the yield stress
is obtained by multiplying the two figures together to give 24
kgf/mm2
Bolting
Black bolts are manufactured from rolled steel bars; they are known
as black bolts because the original form of the bolts was black;
however, it is not necessarily true that they are always black. The
term ‘black’ is now applied to unfinished common or rough bolts
which have not been finished to a close tolerance. In order to
overcome the problems of tolerance in the bolt diameters and
drilling, it is customary to drill holes greater in diameter than that of
the bolt.
Bolting
Black bolts are used in situations where there is no requirement for
slip resistance or where vibration is not a design requirement. The
capacity of each bolt is determined from the strength multiplied by
the appropriate area.
-Shear capacity
The shear capacity, PS, of a bolt should be taken as:
PS = ps As
where:
ps is the shear strength obtained from Table 30

As is the shear area as defined earlier, i.e. A t or A

It should be noted that the threads may occur in the shear plane as
mentioned above.
-(b) Bearing capacity
The bearing capacity, Pbb of a bolt should be taken as:
Pbb = dtp pbb
where:
d is the nominal diameter
tp is the thickness of the connected part, or, if the bolts are
countersunk,the thickness of the part minus half the depth of
countersinking
-(c) Tension capacity
The tension capacity, Pt, of a bolt (including countersunk bolts)
should be taken as:
Pt = pt At
where:
pt is the tension strength obtained from BS 5950 Table 34

At is the tensile stress area as defined earlier

-(c) Tension capacity
When bolts are subjected to both shear and tension then the
following relationship should be satisfied:
-(c) Tension capacity
When bolts are subjected to both shear and tension then the
following relationship should be satisfied:
BOLTED CONNECTIONS
Advantages
1. The bolting operation is very silent
2. Bolting is a cold process hence there is no risk of fire
3. Bolting operation is more quicker than riveting.
4. Less man power is required in making the connections.

Disadvantages
5. If subjected to vibratory loads, results in reduction in strength get
loosened.
6. Unfinished bolts have lesser strength because of non uniform
diameter.
Two types of bolts commonly used in steel structures are;(Next Slide)
Ordinary (Black) Bolts
 Ordinary, unfinished, rough, or common bolts.
 Least Expensive
 Primarily - Light structures under static load such as small trusses,
purlins etc.
Black bolts sustains a shear load by the shear strength of the bolt
shank itself. There are three grades of ordinary bolts, namely 4.6,8.8
and 10.9. Generally, in structural connections, grade 8.8 bolts having
a diameter not less than 12mm are recommended.
Bolts nuts and washers

Hexagonal head bolt, nut and washer

Bolts nuts and washers
Mechanical properties of the bolts are specified in BS EN ISO 898:
Part 1: 1999 and BS 4190: 2001
Strength Yield Tensile Shear strength of bolt ps (Table 30 of
grade strength stress the code) (N/mm2)
(N/mm2) (N/mm2)
4.6 240 400 160
8.8 640 800 375
10.9 900 1000 400
High Strength Friction Grip (HSFG) bolts.
HSFG bolt rely on a high tensile strength to grip the joined parts
together so tightly that they cannot slide. Uses when bearing type
bolts slips under shear.
Pre-tensioned against the plates to be bolted together so that contact
pressure developed between the plates being joined. Prevents relative
slip when extra shear is applied. They have higher shear resistance.
The preferred size of steel bolt are 12,16,20,22,24 and 30 mm in
diameter.
CONNECTIONS
The Nominal Diameter of Holes for Ordinary Bolts (Table 33;
BS5950)
Dh = db + 1 mm for db =12 mm diameter bolts

Dh = db + 2 mm for 16 ≤ db ≥ 24 mm diameter bolts

Dh = db + 3 mm for db ≥ 27 mm diameter bolts

Dh = The nominal diameter of holes for ordinary bolts

db= Bolt diameter.

Fastener Spacing & Edge /End Distance (Clause 6.2 of BS 5959)
1.Spacing between centre of bolts, i.e. Pitch (p) in the direction of
stress and not exposed to corrosive influences should lie within the
following limits; 2.5 db ≤ p ≤ 14 t
If it is exposed to corrosive influences, the maximum spacing of bolts
in each of two right angles should lie within the following limits;
2.5 db ≤ p ≤ 16t or 200 mm

Where db is the diameter of bolts and t the thickness of the thinner

Fastener Spacing & Edge /End Distance (Clause 6.2 of BS 5959)
1.Spacing between centre of bolts, i.e. Pitch (p)
For oversize holes or slotted hole spacing should be increased to leave
at least the same width of steel clear between the holes as for standard
clearance holes.
The end distance should be sufficient to provide adequate bearing
capacity of the connected parts, sections 6.3.3.3 and 6.4.4 of the code.
Bolts in single and double shear
2. Minimum edge distances, e1, and end distance, e2, to fasteners
should conform with the following limits;
Rolled machine flame cut, sawn or planed edge/end ≥ 1.25Dh

Sheared or hand flamed cut edge/end ≥ 1.40 Dh

Where the parts are exposed to corrosive influences, the edge

distance should not exceed 40 mm + 4t.
3.Maximum edge distance should not exceed the following; (Cl
6.2.2.5)
e1≤11tℇ
Where t is the thickness of the thinner part
ℇ = (275\py)1/2
Slotted holes
For slotted holes, edge and end distances should be measured from
the edge or end of the materials to the centre of its radius or to the
centerline of the slot.

Minimum edge and end distances (Figure 21 of the code)

Fastener Spacing & Edge /End Distance
Where
Dh is the diameter of the bolt hole.

e1 is the distance from the centre line of the hole to the outside edge
of the plate at the right angles to the direction of the stress.
whereas the end distance.
e2 is the distance from the centre line of the edge of the plate in the
direction of stress.
Effective area of bolts
Bolts may have short, standard or long thread length, or have full
threaded shanks.
For bolts without a defined tensile stress area, At should be taken as
the area at the bottom of the threads.
Where it can be shown that threads do not occur in the shear plane, A s
may be taken as the shank area A.
In the calculation of the thread length, allowance should be made for
tolerances and the thread run off.
Strength Checks
Bolted connection may fail due to various mechanisms including
shear, bearing, tension and combined shear and tension.
Block Shear failure
As a result of some research work carried out in the USA, it was found that there
are certain cases where failure in a connection is caused by a block of material
within the bolted area breaking away from the remainder of the section. This
has become known as block shear failure. Some typical cases
of this are shown in Fig. taken from §6.2.4.
Block Shear failure

Block shear failure

Example.
A 686 x 254 x 125 UB is connected to a column by web cleats with a single
row of bolts. If the reaction is 350 kN and there are four 20mm diameter
bolts through the web, as in Fig. below 9.17, check if the section is
adequate for block shear failure.
Shear failure
A shear joint can fail in the following five ways:
1) by shear on the bolt shank
2) by bearing on the connected member or bolt
3) by shear at the end of the member
4) by tension in the member
5) Cleavage / splitting of the connected parts

These failures modes can be prevented by taking the following measures:

i. For modes 1) and 2), provide sufficient bolts of suitable diameter.
ii. Provide sufficient end distance for mode 3).
iii. For mode 4) and 5), design adequate tension members for effective area.
Failure modes of beam to column connection -Shears and Bearing.

(a) Single shear failure of bolt (b) Bearing failure of bolt (c) Bearing
failure of cleat
Tension Failure

Tension failure may arise in a simple connections as the results

of excessive tension in the bolts (a) or cover plate (b).
Tension Failure

Tension capacity of the ordinary bolts may be calculated using simple or more
exact approach(Cl 6.3.4.3 of BS 5950).

From simple method

The nominal tension capacity of the bolt Pnom is given by;

Pnom = 0.8 Pt At

Where Pt = Tension strength of the bolt

At= Tensile stress area of the bolt

Tension Failure

The tensile capacity of a flat plate Pt is given by;

P t = a e Py

Where; effective net area ae

ae = kean ≤ ag in which

ke = 1.2 for grade S 275 steel plate

ag = gross area of plate =bt

Combined Shear and Tension

Where ordinary bolts are subject to combined shear and

tension ,in addition to checking their shear and tension capacities
separately, the following relationship should also be satisfied:

Fs applied shear

Ft applied tension
Expression is only valid
Ps shear capacity= Ps = рs A s
for simple method
(tensile capacity)
P =Tension capacity= P = 0.8 P A
Example 1
Single Lap Joint A lap joint is shown in Figure 1 in which a single
Grade 8.8, 16 mm diameter black bolt connects two 10 mm thick
S 275 plates. There is one shear interface and it is assumed that the
bolt is fully threaded. (a) Check the minimum and maximum edge and
end distances (b) Check the load capacity of the connection with
respect to: (i) bolt shear, (ii) bolt bearing, (iii) plate bearing, (iv) block
shear, and (v) plate tension capacity.
Example 1

Figure 1
Solution
(a) Check the minimum and maximum edge and end distances
Assuming that all edges are either rolled or machine flame cut. Clause 6.2.2.4
Table 29
Since 16 mm diameter bolts are being used:
Clearance holes are: (16 + 2) = 18 mm diameter
Minimum edge/end distance > 1.25D = (1.25 × 18) = 22.5 mm
Clause 6.2.2.5 Maximum edge/end distance ≤ 11tε = (11 × 10) = 110 mm
Actual edge/end distance = 25 mm ≥ 1.25D ≤ 11tε Minimum and maximum
end and edge distances are acceptable
Solution
(i) bolt shear-Clause 6.3.2.1 Bolt shear capacity Ps = psAs
Table 30 -Grade 8.8 bolts ps = 375 N/mm2
Tensile area of 16 mm dia. bolt At = 157 mm2
Ps = (375 × 157)/103 = 58.9 kN ≥ 40 kN Bolts are adequate in shear
(ii) Bolt bearing capacity-Clause 6.3.3.2
Bolt bearing capacity Pbb = d tp pbb
d = 16 mm, t = 10 mm, pbb = 1000 N/mm2 Table 31
Pbb = (16 × 10 × 1000)/103 = 160 kN ≥ 40 kN Bolts are adequate in bearing
Solution
(iii) Plate bearing capacity Clause 6.3.3.3 Table 32
Plate bearing capacity Pbs = kbs d tp pbs ≤ 0.5 kbs e tp pbs
e = 25 mm, t = 10 mm, kbs = 1.0 and pbs = 460 N/mm2
In this case e < 2d and 0.5 kbs e tp pbs will govern.
Pbs = (0.5 × 1.0 × 25 × 10 × 460)/103 = 57.5 kN ≥ 40 kN Plate is adequate in
bearing
Solution
(iv) Block shear capacity Clause 6.2.4

Block shear capacity Pr = 0.6 py t[Lv + Ke(Lt − kDt)]

t = 10 mm, Dt = 18 mm, Lv = 25 mm, Lt = 25 mm, k = 0.5
Pr = (0.6 × 275 × 10) × {25.0 + 1.2[25.0 − (0.5 × 18)]}/103 = 73 kN ≥ 40 kN
Plate is adequate with respect to block shear
Solution
(iv) Block shear capacity Clause 6.2.4

Block shear capacity Pr = 0.6 py t[Lv + Ke(Lt − kDt)]

t = 10 mm, Dt = 18 mm, Lv = 25 mm, Lt = 25 mm, k = 0.5
Pr = (0.6 × 275 × 10) × {25.0 + 1.2[25.0 − (0.5 × 18)]}/103 = 73 kN ≥ 40 kN
Plate is adequate with respect to block shear
Solution
(v) Plate tension capacity-Clause 4.6.1
Plate tension capacity Pt = py Ae

Clause 3.4.3 Ae = ∑ae ae = Kean < ag Table 9 py = 275 N/mm2 Clause 3.4.3 Ke = 1.2,

an = [(50 − 18) × 10] = 320 mm2 ag = (50 × 10) = 500 mm2 Ae = (1.2 × 320) = 384

mm2 Pt = (275 × 384)/103 = 105.6 kN ≥ 40 kN

Plate is adequate with respect to tension
From (i) to (v) the capacity of the connection is governed by the plate bearing
strength, i.e. Maximum force which can be transmitted = 57.5 kN > 40 kN The
 PRINCIPAL METHODS FOR CONNECTIONS

2. Welding
- is a process of connecting pieces of metal together by fusion, thus
establishing a metallurgical bond between them. By this bonding,
welding is distinguished from other connection methods which rely
on friction or other mechanical means.
 PRINCIPAL METHODS FOR CONNECTIONS

Arc-welding process
The most widely used process of welding for structural purposes is
arc-welding. The intense heat required is created by an electric arc,
which is a sustained spark between the work to be welded and a
metal filler wire called an electrode or welding rod. Fusion of the
filler wire causes the filler material to be transferred into the joint by
the arc in any direction.
Advantages of welding
The practical advantages of welded structures, when compared with bolted
structures are:
• Welded structures are lighter, because of the general absence of
bolts, gusset plates and other joining features.
• In general, welded structures are more economical.
Cost savings arise from various factors.
-The general elimination of drilling for bolts permits the use of the full
sectional area of a member, allowing lighter members to be used than in the
corresponding bolted structures.
Advantages of welding
The practical advantages of welded structures, when compared with bolted
structures are:
-less time is required for detailing welded structures because
connections are simplified.
-In external work, joints can be completely sealed by welding the edges all
round and so made safe against corrosion.
-Welding allows the designer greater freedom in the selection and the
arrangement of the component parts of a member or structure in order to
obtain the maximum efficiency from the material used.
Disadvantages of welding
-A tendency for welded structures to become distorted due to the uneven
heating and cooling caused by the welding.
-More care is called for in fabrication and greater supervision is required.
-The detection of faults is more difficult and more expensive than in a bolted
construction.
-The testing of welds may involve radiography or magnetic particle, ultrasonic
or dye penetrant techniques.
-Surfaces to be welded must be clean and dry, and the achievement of these
conditions presents some difficulties on site
 Types of Welds
There are two general types of weld:
• Butt welds
• Fillet welds

butt welds.

fillet welds
Butt welds
These are used to join steel members which are butted end to end.
Fillet welds
-These are the most commonly used welds and are used to join steel
members forming a lap or T-joint. For the general case right angle welds (90°
between faces), the throat thickness is taken as 0.7 (sin 45°) of the size or
leg length.
Fillet welds
The throat thickness is used to determine the strength of the weld because a
weld generally fails along a line bisecting the angle of the joint.
The throat thickness does not extend to the convex surface of the weld, which is
called the reinforcement, because it contains the slag of minerals other than iron
that form on the surface of the molten weld metal, and are of uncertain strength.
The most commonly used sizes of fillet welds are between 6 mm and 22 mm, the
larger size being used at heavily loaded connections. The welding operator can
deposit welds of 10 mm and smaller in a single pass, but two or more runs are
required for larger welds.
Fillet welds
-the strength of a fillet weld is in direct proportion to its size. However, the
volume of deposited metal, and hence the cost of the weld, increases as the
square of the weld size. Therefore, it is desirable to specify, when possible, a
smaller but longer weld rather than a larger, shorter weld that is more costly.
-Fillet welds, transmit forces by shear through the throat thickness.
-The design strength (pw) is given in BS 5950:Part 1, Table 37, and the effective
throat thickness as defined in Figure 29 is normally taken as 0.7 times the leg
length for equal leg
-a run of fillet weld should be returned around corners for a distance of not
less than twice the leg length.
If this is not possible, then the length of weld considered effective for
strength purposes should be taken as the overall length less one leg length
for each length which does not continue round a corner (Clause 6.8.2).
The effective length L of a fillet weld should be: ≥ (4 × s) and ≥ 40 mm.
A significant variation in tensile stress occurs across the width of the tensile
members when the lateral spacing between weld runs is considerably larger
than the length. These effects are limited in BS 5950 by ensuring that the
length of weld L is at least equal to Tw, as indicated in Clause 6.7.2.4 and
shown in Figure 6.80. In addition in lap joints the minimum lap should not
be less than (4 × t − the thickness of the thinner part joined), as indicated in
Clause 6.7.2.3.
-a run of fillet weld should be returned around corners for a distance of not
less than twice the leg length.
If this is not possible, then the length of weld considered effective for
strength purposes should be taken as the overall length less one leg length
for each length which does not continue round a corner (Clause 6.8.2).
The effective length L of a fillet weld should be: ≥ (4 × s) and ≥ 40 mm In
many connections welds are subject to a complex stress condition induced
by multidirectional loading. The strengths of transverse fillet welds and
longitudinal fillet welds differ, transverse fillet welds being the stronger. In
addition, in side fillet welds, large longitudinal forces are concentrated
Example.
Fillet Weld Lap Joint A flat-plate tie is connected to another structural
member as indicated in Figure below. Design a suitable 6 mm side fillet
weld to transmit a 75 kN axial force. Assume the electrode classification to
be 35.
 Types of Welds

• In lightly stressed structures where stiffness rather than

strength controls design and fatigue or brittle is not a problem
fillet welds are entirely adequate and economical. Reliable
Fillet welds may be and are frequently are designed for severe
stress and service conditions, but as a rule butt welds are better
in highly structures where smooth flow of stress is necessary
 Types of Welds

Other types are ;

Groove ( More reliable than others)

Plug (expensive – poor transmission of tensile forces)

Slot (expensive - poor transmission of tensile forces)

Plug and Slot welds – stitch different parts of members together.

BEAM –COLUMN CONNECTION

Connects Beam to column.

Very Common. A wide range of different types are used are;

1. Fin Plates

2. End Plates

3. Web or Flange Cleats

4. Hunched Connections.
BOLTED –WELDED CONNECTION

Most connections are Shop Welded and Field

Bolted types.

More Cost Effective

BEAM –COLUMN CONNECTION

Beams are normally attached using two or more bolts through the web.
End plate connections

single plate welded to the end of the beams .Bolted to the column
flange or web - two or bolts pair.

Fin plate connections

Single Plate welded to the Column.

Beams are normally attached using two or more bolts through the web.
COLUMN BASE PLATE CONNECTION

Steel plates placed at the bottom of Columns.

Function - to transmit column loads to the concrete pedestal.

The design of a column base plate:

 Determining the size of the plate.

 Determining the thickness of the plate.

Design strengths
ASSIGNMENT
WRITE SHORT NOTES ABOUT PRYING FORCE