 The strength of the bolt is usually computed by using the

“tensile stress area“ (also called the “resistant area”) defined by

the average diameter of the core of the shank dn and the
“average” diameter, dm, as pictured in Figure 5.2.

 Bolt sizes are defined in terms of their nominal diameter, length

under the head and thread length.
 Example 5.0
 Calculate the net cross-sectional area for the plate shown in Fig.
5.5 which is subject to a tensile force. The plate is 20mm thick
and contains four lines of staggered holes drilled for 24mm
diameter bolts.
Solution
• From Fig.5.5, s=95mm and p=110 mm.
• Diameter of hole do =d+2=24+2=26mm.
• Gross cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of
stress=20×430= 8600mm2
• Areas to be deducted at possible failure lines are:

where ngs is the number of gauge spaces in the chain of holes.

 Where as the bolt fails across the reduced cross-section at the
root of the thread, the tension resistance (Table 5.2)

where: k2 =0,9 except for a countersunk bolt where k2 =0,63

 Where the bolt assembly fails by the bolt head, or nut, shear
punching through the plate, then the tension resistance of the
plate

where
• fu is the ultimate tensile stress of the plate.
• tp is the thickness of the plate under the head of the bolt.
• dm is the mean distance of the bolts of across points and across
flats dimensions of the bolt head or the nut, whichever is
smaller.
 The shear resistance per shear plane for a single bolt (Table5.2)

 Where the shear plane passes through the unthreaded portion

of the bolt αv =0,6 and A is the gross area.
 Where the shear plane passes through the threads αv =0,5 or
0,6, depending on the grade of the bolt, and A=As the reduced
area.
 The values of the reduced bolt areas used are:

5.4.2 Design Resistance of a Bolt Subject to Shear and Tension

Forces
 Shear and tensile resistances are related by the linear
interaction formula
(A)
5.6.4 Effective Length of a Weld
The effective length of a fillet weld
should be taken as the length over which
the fillet is full size.
The minimum length allowed to transmit
loading is six times the throat thickness,
and not less than 30 mm.
 Table 5.2 Failure modes and design resistances

• fdsh
 The effective length of a weld is reduced if a component distorts
under load in situations similar to that shown In Fig. 5.10, where
the deformations in the weld adjacent to the web are greater than
those at the end of the flange.

Fig 5.10
Reduction in
strength of
welds
 For design, the effective breadth (beff ) of a weld for a rolled ‘I’ or
‘H’ section.

 For box or channel sections where the widths of the connected

plate and the flange are similar

5.6.5 Long Welded Joints

 The stress distribution along the length of a long lap joint is not
uniform being greatest at the ends, thus to allow for this the
length of the weld is reduced.
 For joints longer than 150 times the throat thickness (a), the
reduction factor
5.6.6 Design Resistance of Fillet Welds
 The real external forces acting on a 90◦ fillet weld are probably
those shown in Fig. 5.11 (a) fillet welds of equal leg length
loaded to failure show that the fracture plane varies between
10◦ and 80◦ depending on the combination of external forces.

 For design purposes a complex system of external forces acting

on a fillet weld is reduced forces acting in three perpendicular
directions on a unit length of weld as shown in Fig. 5.11 (b).
 The vector sum of all the design forces should not exceed the
design resistance of a fillet weld and may be expressed as
• a) Complex system

Figure 5.11 Forces acting on a 90◦ fillet weld

• fu =nominal ultimate tensile strength of the weaker part joined
• βw =correlation factor dependent on steel grade
• γM2 =partial safety factors for joints, recommended value 1.25
5.6.7 Design Strength of Fillet Welds
 The design strength of a unit length of fillet weld
5.7 Joint subjected to eccentric shear force
 Joints, such as shown in Fig. 5.12 (a), are subject to eccentric
shear forces which tend to rotate the joint.
 This produces a resultant shear force on a fastener (bolt, or
unit length of weld) from the direct shear force and the
moment.

 The forces acting on a group of fasteners can be idealized as

shown in Fig. 5.12 (b).
 The bolt group rotates about the theoretical instantaneous
centre of rotation which varies in position depending on the
magnitudes of the external forces V and H and the eccentricity e.
 In the linear elastic stage of behaviour it is reasonable to
assume that the force acting on a fastener is proportional to the
distance from the centre of rotation.
Figure 5.12 Joints subject to eccentric shear forces
 It is assumed that rotation occurs about the centroid of the
fastener group and for convenience the forces acting on a
fastener are parallel to the z–z and y–y axes as shown in Fig. 5.12
(c).
 These forces are combined vectorially and the resultant force on
a fastener furthest from the centre of rotation is
5.8 Joint with moments
 Some joints involve end bearing between components (Fig.
5.13).
 End bearing can occur in beam-to-column, bracket-to-column,
beam to-beam and column-to-base joints.

Fig. 5.13 Joints with end bearing

 Where end bearing occurs, rotation takes place about a stiff
axis of rotation, axis O–O shown in Fig. 5.13(d).

 The reaction force Ro is generally large and the bearing may

have to be reinforced if it is not to distort under the load.

 The balancing tensile force R is resisted by bolts or welds.

 If there is slip at the stiff bearing a frictional force μRo develops

parallel to the stiff bearing surface.

 Consider an end bearing joint subject to external forces V, H and

moment M as shown in Fig. 5.13(d), If slip occurs resolving
forces vertically
 In the elastic stage of behaviour it is assumed that the forces
acting on a fastener are proportional to the distance from the
axis of rotation O–O. If, conservatively, this is also assumed to
occur at ultimate load then:
 Taking moment of forces about axis O–O the maximum tensile
force resisted by a fastener

 This equation is formed assuming that bolts of the same size

and design strength resist equal shear forces and also that slip
has taken place.
 If the fasteners are welds then Ft(max) and Fs are combined
vectorially. If the fasteners are ordinary bolts the forces are
combined using Eq. (A) and related to design strengths.
 Example 5.1
 Design of a ‘pin’ joint for a roof truss (Fig. Ex. 5.2). The forces,
size of angles and tees have been obtained from an analysis at
ultimate load assuming pin joints and axial forces in the
members. The centroidal axes of the members intersect so
there is no eccentricity to be taken into account. The thickness
of the gusset plate is at least 6mmto resist corrosion, and at
least equal to the minimum thickness of the angle or tee (6.1
mm). Use a 10mmthick plate grade S275 steel. A rectangular
plate is simple to mark and cut, and low in fabrication cost.
Alternatively a more complicated shape can be used which is
aesthetically more acceptable but the fabrication cost is greater.
 Member 24, structural tee cut from a UB (165×152×20 kg)
welded to a gusset plate, design force NEd =215 kN.
Fig. Ex 5.2 ‘Pinned’ roof truss joint
 Tensile resistance of the tee Grade S275 steel

 Assuming a 6mm fillet weld for Grade S275 steel

 Effective length of weld required to resist the tensile force using

the simplified method
 Two side fillet welds of 110mm length would be satisfactory but
in practice the lengths would probably be the full overlap (i.e.
2×310=620 mm).
 Member 31, structural tee cut from a UB (165×152×20 kg) bolted
to the gusset plate and strap, design force NEd =125 kN.
 Resistance of 4-M20 class 4.6 bolts in single shear

 Resistance of 2-M20 class 4.6 bolts in bearing on the web of the

tee section (t=6,1mm)
 Example 5.2
 Determine the size of the components required to connect the
bracket to the column shown in Fig. Ex.5.3 using Grade S355
steel. The forces shown are applied to one gusset plate at
ultimate load.
Solution
 For the 10 bolts (Fig. Ex.5.3(a)) of unit cross-sectional area the,
properties of the bolt group are:
• Second moment of area of the bolt group about the
centroidal y–y axis
 • Second moment of area of the bolt group about the
centroidal z–z axis

• Second moment of area of the bolt group about the

centroidal polar x–x axis

 The maximum vector force in the direction of the z–z axis on a

bolt furthest from the centroid of the bolt group
Figure Ex.5.2 Rigid’ column brackets
 The maximum vector force in the direction of the y–y axis on the
same bolt

a) using class 4.6 bolts, shear resistance of an M30 class 4.6 bolt in
single shear

• However the recommended maximum bolt diameter for a

column flange width of 254mm is 24mm, use a higher class of
bolt.
b) using M20 class 8.8 bolts not pre-loaded, shear resistance of an
M20 class 8.8 bolt in single shear

 M20 class 8.8 bolt in bearing on the gusset plate (t=10mm)

where
• for an end bolt αb =e1/(3do)=40/(3×22)=0,606
• for an edge bolt k1 =2.8e2/do −1.7=2.8×58/22−1.7=5.68>2.5
c) using pre-loaded M22 class 10.9 bolts

 To determine the thickness of the gusset plate for the bolted

joint Fig. ex.5.3(a)

 Width of the gusset plate perpendicular to the free edge

• the thickness of the gusset plate Grade S355 steel

• Check the slenderness ratio of the gusset plate

d) using welds
• Where it is not possible to bolt to a column, for example the
compound channel column shown in Fig. ex.5.3(b), then welds
are used.
 The connection is rigid and for welds of unit size the properties
of the weld group are:
 Maximum vector force in the direction of the z–z axis on a weld
element furthest from the centroid of the weld group from

 Maximum vector force in the direction of the y–y axis on the

same weld element
 Resultant vector design force on this weld element

 Assuming a 6mm fillet weld for Grade S275 steel

 To determine the thickness of the gusset plate for the welded

joint Fig. ex.5.3(b), the width of the gusset plate perpendicular
to the free edge
or

 Check the slenderness ratio of the gusset plate from