Example Problems on Bolted-connections

1) A diagonal member of truss made of double angles placed back to back (2L-76x76x9.5) is
subjected to a service design tensile force of 150kN. The member shall be connected to the
bottom-chord made of structural-tee by means of one line of 16mm diameter bolts directly
without connecting-plate as shown below. Design the proper bolted-connection between
diagonal and bottom-chord member. Use A-36 steel ( F y  250MPa & Fu  400MPa) for
truss members and A-325X bolts. Assume bearing type connection.
150 kN

2 L  76  76  9.5

Tee  sec tion 120 mm

t w  12mm
100 mm
Solution
-Allowable stresses of bolt for shear and bearing,
Fa , s  205 N mm 2 ( from table) &
2
Fa ,l 1.5 Fu  1.5  400  600 N mm
-For one L-76x76x9.5 section  A 1361mm 2 , t  9.5mm
-then, design joint load,

T ( given)  150 kN

Pjo int   3
0.5 (0.6Fy  2 A)  0.5  0.6  250  2  1361  204.15  10 N  204.15kN
-thus, Pjo int  204.15 kN
-capacity of one bolt (double shear-plane),
-for bolt-shear:
Pa , s  Fa , s  2 Ab  205 2  (   162 / 4)  82.435  103 N  82.435kN
-for bearing stress:
Pa ,l1  Fa ,l  ( db  tTee )  600  (16  12)  115.2  103 N  115.2 kN

Pa ,l 2  Fa ,l  ( d b  2tangle )  600  (16  2  9.5)  182.4  103 N  182.4 kN

-therefore, Pa  82.435 kN
Pjo int 204.15
-number of bolts required, n   2.485  3 bolts
Pa 82.15
-Therefore, use 3-16mm diameter A-325X bolts in one row

-check, capacity of section of member for tension considering bolt holes

( d hole  16  1.5  17.5 mm) ,
An  Ag  d . t  2  (136117.5  9.5)  2389.5 mm 2

1
 or, An  0.85 Ag  0.85  ( 2  1361)  2313.7 mm 2 therefore,
2
An  2313.7 mm
-and, Ane  An  2313.7 mm
2

-then,
Ta  (0.5Fu ) . Ane  (0.5  400)  2313.7  462.74  103 N  462.74kN  T ( given) 150kN
--ok!

-For details of joint:

-Edge distance, C1  2d b  2  16  32 mm take  C1  35 mm
-Spacing of bolts, C4  3d b  3  16  48 mm take  C4  50 mm

2) Four members of roof truss joining at joint ‘O’ is given along with internal forces in each
members as shown below. Design the riveted-connections if the members are connected by
20mm diameter rivets through 12mm thick gusset-plate. The lower chord members are made
of double angles placed back to back while the diagonal and vertical members are single angles.
Use A-36 steel ( F y  250MPa & Fu  400MPa) for truss members and A-502 grade-1
rivets.
B
L-64x64x6.4

56kN (T) C
112kN (T)
L-76x76x9.5

284kN (T) O 187kN (T)

A 2L-102x102x9.5 D

Solution
-Allowable stresses of rivet for shear and bearing,
Fa , s 120 N mm 2 ( from table ) &
Fa ,l 1.5 Fu  1.5  400  600 N mm 2
i) Joint between member-OB and gusset-plate
-For L-64x64x6.4 section  A  768mm 2 , t  6.4mm
-then, design joint load,

T ( given)  56 kN
Pjo int   3
0.5 (0.6Fy  A)  0.5  0.6  250  768  57.6  10 N  57.6 kN
-thus, Pjo int  57.6 kN
-capacity of one rivet (single shear-plane),
-for rivet-shear:
Pa , s  Fa , s  Ar  120 (   202 / 4)  37.699  103 N  37.699kN

2
 -for bearing stress:
Pa ,l  Fa ,l  ( d r  tangle )  600  ( 20  6.4)  76.8  103 N  76.8 kN
-therefore, Pa  37.699 kN
Pjo int 57.6
-number of rivets required, n   1.53  2 rivets
Pa 37.699
-Therefore, use 2-20mm diameter A-502 grade-1 rivets in one row

ii) Joint between member-OC and gusset-plate

-For L-76x76x9.5 section  A 1361mm 2 , t  9.5mm
-then, design joint load,

T ( given)  112 kN

Pjo int   3
0.5 (0.6 Fy  A)  0.5  0.6  250  1361  102.075  10 N 102.075 kN
-thus, Pjo int  112 kN
-capacity of one rivet (single shear-plane),
-for rivet-shear:
Pa , s  Fa , s  Ar  120 (   202 / 4)  37.699  103 N  37.699kN
-for bearing stress:
Pa , l  Fa , l  (d r  tangle )  600  ( 20  9.5)  114  103 N 114 kN
-therefore, Pa  37.699 kN
Pjo int 112
-number of rivets required, n   2.97  3 rivets
Pa 37.699
-Therefore, use 3-20mm diameter A-502 grade-1 rivets in one row

iii)Joint between member-AOD and gusset-plate

-For one L-102x102x9.5 section  A 1845mm 2 , t  9.5mm
-then, design joint load if one continuous section are used,
Pjo int  difference of force in members  ( 284 187)  97 kN
-capacity of one rivet (double shear-plane),
-for rivet-shear:
Pa , s  Fa , s  2 Ar  120 2  (   202 / 4)  75.398  103 N  75.398kN
-for bearing stress:
Pa ,l1  Fa ,l  ( d r  t gusset  plate )  600  ( 20  12)  144  103 N  144 kN

Pa ,l 2  Fa ,l  ( d r  2tangle )  600  ( 20  2  9.5)  228  103 N  228 kN

-therefore, Pa  75.398 kN
Pjo int 97
-number of rivets required, n   1.29  2 rivets
Pa 75.398
-Therefore, use 2-20mm diameter A-502 grade-1 rivets in one row

3
 -For details of joint (assuming the same specification given bolts connection):
-Edge distance, C1  2d b  2  20  40 mm take  C1  40 mm
-Spacing of rivets, C4  3d b  3  20  60 mm take  C4  60 mm

-check, capacity of each section of members for tension considering rivet holes!

3) A beam made of W-460x74section is simply supported by column made of W-310x79section

transferring an end-reaction of 265kN. A beam is connected to a column through two angle-
plates (2L-76x76x tp?) using 20mm diameter A-325N bolts. Assume bearing type connection.
Design the connection between beam-web and angle-plates; and the connection between angle
plates and the flange of column. Determine also thickness and length of connecting angle-
plates. Sections of beam and column, and angle-plates are made of A-36 steel.

V=265kN beam
column
W  310  79 W  460  74
55 mm
85 mm
l jo int  280 mm
85 mm
55 mm
angle  plates
2 L  76  76  t p ?

Solution
-Allowable stresses of bolts for shear and bearing,
Fa , s 150 N mm 2 ( from table ) &
2
Fa ,l 1.5 Fu  1.5  400  600 N mm
a) Connection between web of beam and connecting angle-plate (double shear-plane)
-Angle-plates are made of L-76x76xt:  t p ?
-Beam section is made of W-460x74:  t w  9.1mm, t f 14.5mm, & d  457mm
-then, design joint load,

V ( given)  265kN

Pjoit   3
0.5 (0.4Fy  d  tw )  0.5  (0.4  250  457  9.1)  207.935  10 N  207.935kN
-thus, Pjo int  265 kN
-allowable strength of one 20mm diam. bolt with double shear-plane,
-for bolt-shear:
Pa , s  Fa , s  2 Ab  150 2  (   202 / 4)  94.248  103 N  94.248kN
-for bearing stress:
Pa ,l  Fa ,l  ( db  t w )  600  ( 20  9.1)  109.2  103 N  109.2 kN
-therefore, Pa  94.248 kN
-then, number of bolts required to connect web of beam to angle-plate are,
Pjo int 265
n   2.81  3 bolts
Pa 94.248

4
 -Therefore, use 3-20mm diameter A-325N bolts in one column line

b) Connection between connecting angle-plate and flange of column (single shear-plane)

-Column section is made of W-310x79:  t f 14.6mm
-then, design joint load, Pjo int  265 kN
-allowable strength of one 20mm diam. bolt with single shear-plane,
-for bolt-shear:
Pa , s  Fa , s  Ab  150 (   202 / 4)  47.124  103 N  47.124kN
-for bearing stress:
Pa ,l  Fa ,l  ( db  t f )  600  ( 20  14.6)  175.2  103 N  175.2 kN
-therefore, Pa  47.124 kN
-then, number of bolts required to connect angle-plates to flange of column are,
Pjo int 265
n   5.62  6 bolts ( 3 bolts on each angle-plates)
Pa 47.124
-Therefore, use 3-20mm diameter A-325N bolts for each angle-plate (total 6- 20 bolts)

c) Required thickness of connecting angle-plates for bearing stress

i) Between beam web & angle plate (double shear-plane)
-capacity one bolts for bearing stress over angle-plate,
Pa,l  Fa,l  ( d b  2tangle )  600  ( 20  2  t p )  24000 t p
-equating with force in one bolt (number bolts in joint are 3),
Pjo int
Pa ,l 
n
265  103  t p  3.68 mm
 24000 t p 
3
ii) Between angle plate & column flange (single shear-plane)
-capacity one bolts for bearing stress over angle-plate,
Pa ,l  Fa ,l  ( d b  tangle )  600  ( 20  t p )  12000 t p
-equating with force in one bolt (number bolts in joint are 6),
Pjo int
Pa ,l 
n
265  103  t p  3.68 mm
 12000 t p 
6
-thus, tp  3.68 mm take
 t angleplate  4.8 mm ( smallest thickness from table)
-Therefore, 2L-76x76x4.8 angle-plate are required to connect beam to column

d) Required length of connecting angle-plates

-For details of joint:
-Edge distance, C1  2d b  2  20  40 mm take  C1  40 mm
-Spacing of rivets, C4  3d b  3  20  60 mm take  C4  60 mm
-thus, the required length of angle-plate is (if three bolts in one column are required),

langle  2  60  2  40  200 mm  ( d  2t f )  ( 457  2  14.5)  428mm --ok!

5
 -therefore, langle  plate  200 mm
e) Check length and thickness of angle-plates for shear

V 265  103
fs    138 N mm2  Fs  0.4 Fy  0.4  250 100 N mm2
2t angle  langle 2  4.8  200
--not adequate!
-therefore, increase either length or thickness of angle-plate proportionally.
-thus, the required length of angle-plate,
138
langle   200 mm  276 mm  428 mm --take
100
 langle  280 mm

4) Determine the spacing required for two-lines of 20mm diameter A-325X bolts used to
connect the cover-plate for compound beam section (made of W-530x92 with two cover-plates,
2PL-405x19) as shown below. The maximum shear-force developed in the beam,
Vmax  535kN under service design load of beam. W-section and cover-plates are made of
A-36 steel ( F y  250MPa & Fu  400MPa) . Assume bearing type connection.
PL  405mm  19mm
19 mm

d  533 mm Spacing of bolts , Sbolt  ?

W-530x92

19 mm
PL  405mm  19mm
Solution
-Allowable stresses of bolts for shear and bearing,
Fa , s  205 N mm 2 ( from table) &
2
Fa ,l 1.5 Fu  1.5  400  600 N mm

-for W-530x92 section:  I x0

 554  106 mm4 , d  533 mm, t f 15.6 mm
-then, area moment of inertia of compound section,

 405  193 
I x  554  106  2     2   405  19   276 2  1726.3486  106 mm 4
 12 
-and, shear-flow between cover-plate and flange of W-section,

q
V.Q

V . Ap . y 

535  103  19  405  276
 658.177 N mm
Ix Ix 1726.3486  106
-allowable bolt strength per bolt using two lines of bolts (single shear-plane),
-for bolt-shear:
 
Pa , s  2  Fa , s  Ab  2  205 (   202 / 4)  128.8053 103 N  128.8053kN
-for bearing stress:
 
Pa ,l  2  Fa ,l  db  t f )  2  600  20  15.6  374.4  103 N  374.4 kN
-therefore, Pa  128.8053 kN --thus, the required spacing of two lines of bolts

6
 Pa 128.8053  103
sbolt    195.7 mm  smax  300 mm (det er min ed as bottom)
q 658.177
 smin  3d b  3  20  60 mm
-Maximum allowable spacing of bolts used in outside plates of built-up sections is smallest of:

 334 334
  t p  19  401mm
smax   yF 250

 300 mm
-therefore, use two-lines of 20mm diameter A-325X bolts at spacing of 195 mm c/c
5) Check adequacy of bracket-connection shown below assuming bearing type connection, if
25mm diameter A-325N bolts are used for the connection. Bracket-plate is made of A-36 steel
( F y  250 MPa & Fu  400MPa) . Thickness of bracket plate is 12mm. The connection
between bracket-plate and flange of column is made by bolt pattern and spacing shown on
figure with single shear plane.
e P  110 kN

125 mm
150 mm
125 mm

60 mm
4 1
75 mm t p  12mm 75 mm
5 2
75 mm c.g 75 mm c.g y ?
6 3
60 mm
x ?

Solution
-Allowable stresses of bolts for shear and bearing,
Fa , s 150 N mm 2 ( from table ) &
Fa ,l 1.5 Fu  1.5  400  600 N mm 2
-centroid of bolt group
x  125 / 2  62.5 mm & y  75 mm
-then, sum of square of distance of all bolts from centroid,
d i
2
  x 2
i 
 yi2  6  62.52  2  0 2  4  752  45937.5 mm2

i) bolt-force due to concentric load,

P 110
Ps    18.333 kN
n 6
ii) bolt-force due to moment, M  ( P. e)
where e-eccentricity of joint-load from centroid of bolt group
e 150  x  150  62.5  212.5 mm
-then, moment due to joint-load,
M  ( P . e)  110 kN  212.5 mm  23375 kN  mm
-therefore, bolt-force due to moment at any bolts is obtained as,

7
 M . yi 23375  yi
Pm, x    0.50884 yi
 ( xi2  yi2 ) 45937.5

M . xi 23375  xi
Pm, y    0.50884xi
 ( xi2  yi2 ) 45937.5
-maximum bolt force due to moment is obtained at bolts located at furthest distance from
centroid of bolt group. Therefore, maximum bolt force is found at bolt-1, and bolt-3 at
distance from centroid of bolt group,  x  62.5 mm & y  75 mm
P P
-substituting into equation of m, x and m, y ,
Pm, x  0.50884 yi  0.50884  75  38.163 kN
and, Pm, y  0.50884 xi  0.50884  62.5  31.803 kN
-then, resultant bolt force at critical bolt-1, and bolt-3,

P1,3  Pm, x 2  ( Ps  Pm, y ) 2  38.1632  (18.333  31.803) 2  63.008 kN

a) Check adequacy of connection for shearing of bolts.
-shear stress developed at critical bolts (single shear plane),
P 63.008  103
f s  1, 3   128.36 N mm 2  Fa , s 150 N mm 2
Ab (  25 / 4)
2

--ok!
b) Check adequacy of connection for bearing stress between shank of bolts and plate.
-bearing stress developed between shank of bolts and plate (single shear plane),
P1, 3 63.008  103
fl    210 N mm 2  Fa , l  600 N mm 2
d b .t p 25  12
--ok!
c) Check adequacy of connection for bending of plate at forward bolt line.
-area moment of inertial plate section considering area of bolt holes,
12  2703
I x, p   2  (12  25)  752  16.308  106 mm4
12
-then, the corresponding section-modulus of plate section, 25 mm
75 mm
I x, p 6
16.308  10 270 mm 25 mm
S x, p    120.8  103 mm3 75 mm
cy 270 / 2 25 mm
-moment due to eccentric load at forward bolt line,
M '  ( P . e ' )  110 kN  0.15 m  16.5 kN  m t p  12 mm
-then, check bending stress developed in plate,

M' 16.5  106

fb    136.6 N mm 2  Fb  0.6 Fy 150 N mm 2
S x, p 120.8  103
--ok!
Therefore, the connection is adequate for bolt shear, plate bearing on bolt and bending of plate.

6) A beam made of W-250x67 is to be rigidly connected to a column through two connecting

angle-plates (2L-102x102x9.5) as shown below. Determine the size of bolts that could be used
to transmit a shear-force, V  30kN and a bending moment, M 10 kN  m from beam
to column through angle-plates. Assume A-325N bolts, A-36 steel

beam
W  250  67
(t w  8.9 mm) 8
 ( F y  250 MPa & Fu  400MPa) and bearing type connection. Use bolt pattern and
spacing as shown below.
column V=30kN
M=10kN-m

25mm
stiffner 70
plate 70mm
25
60mm
angle  plates
2 L  102  102  9.5
Solution
-Allowable stresses of bolts for shear and bearing,
Fa , s 150 N mm 2 ( from table) &
2
Fa ,l 1.5 Fu  1.5  400  600 N mm
-sum of square of distance of all bolts from centroid,
d i
2
 x 2
i 
 yi2  6  302  2  02  4  702  25000 mm2

i) bolt-force due to V=30kN,

V 30
Ps    5 kN
n 6
ii) bolt-force due to moment, M=10kN-m
M . yi 10  103 kN  mm  70 mm
Pm, x    28 kN
(x 2
i  yi2 ) 25000 mm2

M . xi 10  103 kN  mm  30 mm
Pm, y    12 kN
(x 2
i  yi2 ) 25000 mm 2
-then, resultant bolt force at critical bolt-1, and bolt-3,
2
P1, 3  Pm , x  ( Ps  Pm , y ) 2  282  (5  12) 2  33.757 kN
-by equating strength of one bolt with resultant critical bolt force (double shear-plane),
-for bolt-shear:
Pa , s  Fa , s  2 Ab  150  2  (   d b / 4)  P1, 3  33.757  103 N
2

2
 235.62db  33.757  103
 db  11.97 mm
-for bearing stress:
Pa , l  Fa , l  ( d b  t w )  600  ( d b  8.9)  P1, 3  33.757  103 N
 5340d b  33.757  103
 d b  6.32 mm
 d b  11 .97 mm (l arg er value control )
-Therefore, use 6-12mm diameter A-325N bolts with given bolt pattern and spacing

7) For given the tension-shear connection shown below, determine the maximum allowable load
that can supported by hangers to column connection through bracket-plate made of tee-section.

9
Connection between bracket-plate and flange of column are made by 10- two lines of 25mm
diameter A-325X bolts. Assume bearing type connection.

bracket-plate
(tee-section)

hanger
(double- angles)

400
P?
Solution
-Allowable stresses of bolts for shear and tension (from table),
Fs  205 N mm 2 & Ft  303 N mm 2
-stresses developed in bolts in terms joint-load ( Ab    252 / 4  490.87mm 2 & n=10)
P. sin 400 P .sin 400
fs    130.948  10 6 P
n . Ab 10  490.87
P. cos 400 P . cos 400
& ft    156.057  10 6 P
n . Ab 10  490.87
-using simplified stresses-interaction equation for tension-shear connection (AISC)
f t   380 1.4 f s   Ft  303 N mm2
-substituting f s & f s ,
 
156.057  106 P  380 1.4  130.948  10 6 P 
6
 339.3842  10 P  380
 P  1119 .675  103 N  1119.675 kN
-check stresses in the bolts,

f s  130.948  106 P  130.948  106  1119.675  103  146.619 N mm2  Fs  205 N mm2
--ok!
&
f t  156.057  106 P  156.057  106  1119.675  103  174.733 N mm2  Fs  303 N mm2
--ok!
-check stresses-interaction equation for tension-shear connection (AISC)
2 2
 fs   ft 
     1 .0
F  F 
 s  t 
2 2
 146.619   174.733 
      0.844  1.0 --ok!
 205   303 
-therefore, P  1119.675 kN

Exercise: Reanalyze the same tension-shear connection assuming friction-type connection

(Tb=220kN for 25mm diameter bolts).

10
8) Determine the maximum allowable load that can be supported by bracket connection shown
below made by 8- two lines of 20mm diameter A-325X bolts. Bolted-connection is subjected
to combined shear and tension caused by moment. Assume bearing type connection.
P?
75mm 40  75 / 2
40mm f t , max  26.87  10 6 P
75mm 77.5 mm
152.5 mm 13.21  10 6 P
75mm 305 mm
75mm 152.5 mm
40mm f c , max  26.87  10 6 P
b  2  90mm  180 mm
2 L  125  90  13
90mm 90mm Contact stresses
Contact plate  area
due to moment
Solution
-Allowable stresses of bolts for shear and tension (from table),
Fs  205 N mm 2 & Ft  303 N mm 2
-shear stress developed in bolts in terms joint-load ( Ab    202 / 4  314.16mm 2 & n=8)
P P
fs    397.9  10 6 P
n . Ab 8  314.16
-assuming initial-tension in the bolts (no separation of plate), maximum tension stress at top-most
bracket angle-plate due to moment in term of contact area of angle-plate (b=180mm & h=305mm),

M
f t , max 
S x, p
b . h2 180  3052
where S x, p    2790.75  103 mm3 &
6 6
M  P . e  75 P
75 P
 f t , max  3
 26.87  10  6 P
2790.75  10
-and, tension stress due to moment half-way between top-most bolts and next bolts,
f t  13.21  10 6 P
-then, tensile force which is resisted by the top most two bolts,
Tm  f t , avg for two bolts  Atributary area of plate

(13.21  26.87)
 Tm   10 6  (180  77.5)  0.279558P
2
-and, nominal tensile stress in the top two bolts,
Tm 0.279558P
ft    444.9  10 6 P
2 Ab 2  314.16

-using simplified stresses-interaction equation for tension-shear connection (AISC)

f t   380 1.4 f s   Ft  303 N mm2
-substituting f s & f s ,
 
444.9  106 P  380 1.4  397.9  106 P 
6
 1001.96  10 P  380

11
 P  379.257  103 N  379.257 kN
-check stresses in the bolts,

f s  397.9  106 P  397.9  106  379.257  103  150.9 N mm2  Fs  205 N mm2
--ok!
&
f t  444.9  106 P  444.9  106  379.257  103  168.73 N mm 2  Fs  303 N mm 2
--ok!
-check stresses-interaction equation for tension-shear connection (AISC)
2 2
 fs   ft 
   
 F    F   1 .0
 s  t 
2 2
 150.9   168.73 
      0.852  1.0 --ok!
 205   303 
-therefore, P  379.275 kN

-check assumption of separation of plate ( Tb 141 kN for 20mm diameter bolts),

n .Tb 8  141  103
fb    20.546 N mm 2
b.h 180  305
M 75  379.257  103
& ft    10.192 N mm 2
S x, p 2790.75  103
 f comb.  ( fb  ft )  20.546  10.192  10.354 N mm2 (compressive) --ok!
-therefore, assumption is correct, plate do not separate from flange of column.
20.546 N mm 2 (comp .) N mm 2 (tens.)
10.192
10.354 N mm2  0.0  no separation of plate!
 
2
10.192 N mm 2 (comp30
.) .738 N mm (comp.)
Stresses due to initialStresses due to Combined contact stresses
tension in the bolt moment ( All compressive stresses )

Exercise: Reanalyze the same bracket connection assuming friction-type connection (T b=141kN
for 20mm diameter bolts).

Exercise Problems

12
1)The truss member made of 2C-310x37 placed back to back connected to a 25mm thick gusset-
plate by two lines of bolts as shown below. How many 22mm diameter A-325X bolts are
required to develop the full design tension load capacity of the member. Assume bearing type
connection. Channel section is made of A-36 steel ( F y  250MPa & Fu  400MPa) .
Ans.: 9 or 10 bolts.

Ta

2) Design a beam framing connection for a floor-beam made of W-360x45 to frame into a floor-
girder made of W-460x74. Floor-beam carries a uniform service design load of (dead + live) =
36.5 kN m excluding own weight over span of l  5.5 m . Beam sections and angle-
plates are made of A-36 steel ( F y  250MPa & Fu  400MPa) . Connection is made
through four angle- plates (4L-102 x 102 x t p?). Use 19mm diameter A-325 bolts. Assume
friction-type connection.
Ans.: 2 bolts between web of beam and angle-plate, 2 bolts between angle-plates and web of
girder, langle  150 mm , and t angle  6.4Girder
mm .
W  460  74

L  102  102  t p
beam W  360  45

l angle  ?

3) Determine the number of 19mm diameter A-325X bolts required in the angles and in the
flange of W-section of column as shown below if bearing-type connection is assumed. Double
angle section is subjected to direct-tension. While flange of W-section of column is subjected
to combined action of shear and tension.
Ans.: 5 bolts in angles and 8 bolts in flanges of W-section of column.
W-460x95
Tee-section
(tw=22mm)

2-vertical rows
of bolts 2L-127x76x12.7
3
4 T = 500kN

13