Limit state Design of Steel Structure

Mani Mohan
February 1, 2015

Contents
1 Bolted Connection
1.1 Connection type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 How the bolts should be arranged? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
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CONTENTS

Chapter 1
Bolted Connection
Let us try to understand what we mean by design of bolted connection. To
answer this completely we need to further ask some more questions:
Which type and Grade of bolt has to be used to make connection?
What can be the possible failure of the bolted connection
What should be diameter and total number of bolts to be used for
making connection?
How the bolts should be arranged?
What shall be the efficiency of the joint
hence design of bolted connection for any problem is to answer all these
question mentioned above.

1.1

Connection type

Bolted connection can be designed as simple connection, eccentric connection or moment resisting connection.
A connection is called simple connection if the resultant of the load
applied pass through the centroid of fasteners. The simple connection
can be:
Lap and butt connection
Flexible beam to column connection
Tension connection
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1.2

CHAPTER 1. BOLTED CONNECTION

How the bolts should be arranged?

Let us answer how the bolts should be arranged. To understand the arrangement we shall introduce ourself with terminologies bolt line (gauge line or
bolt row), pitch, edge distance, end distance, gauge.
Bolt line : A bolt line refers to a line of bolts placed parallel to the stress
in a member.
Pitch: It is the distance between centre of two consecutive bolts measured
along a row of bolts.
Edge distance: It is the distance from the centre of the bolt hole to
the adjacent edge of the member measured at right angle to the direction of
stress.
End distance: It is the distance from the centre of the bolt hole to the
end of the element measured in direction of stress.
Gauge: It is the distance between bolt line.
The arrangement of bolt can be either in chain pattern or in staggered
pattern, now if we specify measurement for mentioned above terminologies,
we can answer the arrangement of bolted connection. However as a beginner
again the question which arise to us is, what shall be the range for these
arrangement. Cl. 10.2.2 - Cl. 10.2.5 in IS 800:2007 gives guideline in this
regard.
Minimum Pitch
The distance between centres of holes should not be less than 2.5 times
nominal diameter of the bolt.
The reason for restricting with this minimum spacing is for ensuring adequate space availability for installation of bolts and to prevent bearing failure
of members between the two bolts.
Maximum Pitch

1.3

Lap joints are generally used for small forces or in small section wherein
flexural actions are negligible. The minimum lap length of 5t (t = thickness
of plate) is been recommended by IS 800:2007 for lap joint so that to reduce
tension in bolts or welds due to bending action.