Example E1: A double cover bolted connection in black bolts (grade 4.6) is shown below.

Determine the strength of the joint. The diameter of each bolt is 20 mm.

Tension member
(150 x 15 mm plate)
150mm
A A

Tension member

2Nos cover plates

(150 x 10 mm)
Section A – A

Solution:
Using BS 5950-1 (2000) provisions:
For plate in tension pt = 240 N/mm2 (Table 34)
For bolt in shear ps = 160 (Table 32)

For bearing strength pbb = pbs = 460 (Tables 31 and 32)

𝑃𝑠 = 𝑝𝑠 𝐴𝑠

2𝜋𝑑 2 𝑝𝑠
(i) 𝐷𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 = 𝑝𝑠 𝐴𝑠 =
4

= 0.25𝜋 × 202 × 2 × 160 × 10−3 = 100.53 𝑘𝑁

The strength of the 4 bolts = 4 x 100.5 = 402.12 kN

(ii)𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 15 𝑚𝑚 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 = 𝑑𝑡𝑝𝑏𝑠 = 20 × 15 × 460 × 10−3 = 138.00 𝑘𝑁

(iii) 𝐵𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 2𝑁𝑜𝑠 10 𝑚𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 = 2𝑑𝑡𝑝𝑏𝑠

= 2 × 20 × 10 × 460 × 10−3 = 184.00 𝑘𝑁

(iv) 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = 𝑏𝑒 𝑑ℎ 𝑡𝑝𝑡

= [150 − 2(22) × 15 × 240] × 10−3 = 381.60 𝑘𝑁

(v) 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = 𝑏𝑒 𝑑ℎ 𝑡𝑝𝑡

= 2[150 − 2 × 22 × 10 × 240] × 10−3 = 508.80 𝑘𝑁

Based on the above values, the strength of the bolted joint is 184 kN as that is the least of the
values at the joint.

Example E2: A simple tension member of S275 steel is fabricated from a 75 mm by 15 mm flat
plate and the total force resisted is 250 kN. Determine the number of black bolts required
assuming they are 20 mm diameter and operate in double shear. What size of splice plates is
required to transfer this force across the joint in the main member?

Solution:
For black bolt grade 4.6:
Nominal diameter = 20 mm
Shank area = 314 mm2
Tensile area (root of thread) = 245 mm2
Allowable tensile stress (pt) = 240 N/mm2
Allowable shear stress (ps) = 160 N/mm2
Allowable bearing stress (pbb) = 460 N/mm2

In double shear, capacity of one bolt is:

𝑃𝑠 = 𝑝𝑠 𝐴𝑠

𝑃𝑠 = 2 × 160 × 314 × 10−3 = 101.11 𝑘𝑁

In enclosed bearing capacity of one bolt

𝑃𝑏𝑏 = 2𝑑𝑡𝑝𝑏𝑠 = 20 × 15 × 460 × 1 × 10−3 = 138.00 𝑘𝑁

𝑃𝑠 < 𝑃𝑏𝑏
 Hence, double shear capacity governs

The number of bolts (n) required is:

𝑃 250
𝑛= = = 2.47 Provide 3Nos bolts
𝑃𝑠 101.11

Note that these bolts can be arranged in one row on each side.

As the joint is double-shear type, the force in each splice plate is 50% of 250 kN (i.e. 125 kN),
then, the net area (An) of each plate is:

𝑃 0.5 × 250 × 103

𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 (𝐴𝑛 ) = = = 521 𝑚𝑚2
𝑝𝑡 240

Making the width of splice plate to be 75 mm less one hole of 22 mm diameter, the net thickness
is:

T(75 – 22) = 521

T = 9.8 mm, say 10 mm

The connection detail is shown below.

Tension member
(75 x 15 mm
plate)
75mm
A
A

60mm
Tension member

2Nos cover plates

(75 x 10 mm)
Section A – A

Figure E2: Example on tension member in bolted joint

Note:

(i) Minimum distance between centre of fasteners = 2.5D = 2.5 x 20 = 50 mm, but the
spacing provided is 60 mm > 50 mm.
(ii) 6Nos 20 mm diameter black bolts provided
(iii) 2Nos 75 x 10 mm splice plates provided

Example 3: For beam-to-column end plate connection shown below, check if the bolts
arrangement is adequate using M20 bolts.

50 FT
15 kNm
60
x

220

50
10 mm thick
end plate

6.8 mm
50 60 50
thick flange

All dimensions are in millimeter

Figure E3: Example on moment connection with bolts in tension and shear

Solution:
For black bolt grade 4.6:
Nominal diameter = 20 mm
Shank area = 314 mm2
Tensile area (root of thread) = 245 mm2
Allowable tensile stress (pt) = 240 N/mm2
Allowable shear stress (ps) = 160 N/mm2

From Figure E3:

∑y2 = 2(2202 + 2802) = 253.6 x 103 mm2

𝑃𝑒𝑦
Maximum bolt tension force (𝐹𝑇 ) = 2 ∑ 𝑦12

15 ×106
= 253.6 × 103 = 16, 561.51 𝑁

Tensile stress (ft) is:

𝐹𝑇 16561.51
𝑓𝑡 = = = 67.60 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
𝐴 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 245

Shear stress (fs) is:

𝑃 120 × 103
𝑓𝑠 = = = 63.69 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
𝐴 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠 6 × 314

But,

𝑓𝑠 𝑓𝑡
+ ≤ 1.4
𝑝𝑠 𝑝𝑡

63.69 67.60
+ = 0.40 + 0.28 = 0.68 ≤ 1.4
160 240

This shows that the bolts arrangement is adequate.

 Example E4: A load of 180 kN is carried on a bracket formed from two 15 mm thick plate,
arranged at 250 mm apart and bolted to the webs of a pair of 254 x 76 x 28.29 kg/m channels,
giving an eccentricity of 300 mm. Design the bolt group.

Solution:

300

180 kN
140
60

250
60

CG
60

15 mm thick plates
All dimensions are in millimeter

2 x 254 x 76 x 28.29 kg/m

channels (toes inwards)

Figure E4: Moment connection joint with bolts in shear due to torsion and direct load

Shear due to torsion:

𝑀𝑟
𝐹𝑀 =
Σ𝑟 2

Σ𝑟 2 = Σ(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )

r = distance from CG of the bolt group to the bolt nearest the load

𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2

𝑟 = √702 + 902 = 114.02 𝑚𝑚

Σ𝑥 2 = 16 × 702 = 78, 400 𝑚𝑚2

Σ𝑦 2 = 8 × 902 + 8 × 302 = 72, 200 𝑚𝑚2

Σ𝑟 2 = 78,400 + 72,200 = 150, 400 𝑚𝑚2

180 × 300 × 114.02

𝐹𝑀 = = 40.94 𝑁
150, 400

FM is the turning force in the extreme bolt and is normal to the radial distance r.

The direct shear force on each bolt is:

𝑃 180
𝐹𝑠 = = = 11.88 𝑘𝑁
N 16

Resolution of FM and Fs gives the maximum shear force on the extreme bolt as:

1⁄
𝐹𝑅 = (𝐹𝑀 2 + 𝐹𝑠 2 + 2𝐹𝑀 𝐹𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) 2

𝑥
Where 𝜃 = 𝑟

1⁄
2 2
70 2
𝐹𝑅 = (40.94 + 11.88 + 2 × 40.94 × 11.88 × ) = 49.14 𝑘𝑁
114.02

The channel web is 8.1 mm thick

Using 24 mm diameter black bolts, the shear capacity of one bolt is:

𝑃𝑠 = 𝑝𝑠 𝐴𝑠 = 160 × 452.39 × 10−3 = 72.38 𝑘𝑁

Since Ps > Fs, the shear capacity of the bolts is adequate

The bearing capacity of one bolt is:

𝑃𝑏𝑏 = 𝑑𝑡𝑝𝑏𝑏 = 24 × 8.1 × 460 × 0.8 × 10−3 = 71.54 𝑘𝑁

Since Pbb > FR, the bearing capacity of the bolts is adequate.