16.

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SECTION 8. INSTALLATION

Prior to installation, the fastener components shall be stored in accordance with Section
2.2. For joints that are designated in the contract documents as snug-tightened joints, the
bolts shall be installed in accordance with Section 8.1. For joints that are designated in
the contract documents as pretensioned or slip-critical, the bolts shall be installed in
accordance with Section 8.2.

8.1. Snug-Tightened Joints

All bolt holes shall be aligned to permit insertion of the bolts without undue
damage to the threads. Bolts shall be placed in all holes with washers positioned
as required in Section 6.1 and nuts threaded to complete the assembly.
Compacting the joint to the snug-tight condition shall progress systematically
from the most rigid part of the joint. The snug tightened condition is the tightness
that is attained with a few impacts of an impact wrench or the full effort of an
ironworker using an ordinary spud wrench to bring the plies into firm contact.

Commentary:
As discussed in the Commentary to Section 4, the bolted joints in most shear
connections and in many tension connections can be specified as snug-tightened
joints. The snug tightened condition is typically achieved with a few impacts of
an impact wrench, application of an electric torque wrench until the wrench
begins to slow or the full effort of a worker on an ordinary spud wrench. More
than one cycle through the bolt pattern may be required to achieve the snug-
tightened joint. The splines on twist-off type tension-control bolts may be
twisted off or left in place in snug tightened joints.
The actual pretensions that result in individual fasteners in snug-
tightened joints will vary from joint to joint depending upon the thickness,
flatness, and degree of parallelism of the connected plies, as well as the effort
applied. In most joints, plies of joints involving material of ordinary thickness
and flatness can be drawn into complete contact at relatively low levels of
pretension. However, in some joints in thick material or in material with large
burrs, it may not be possible to reach continuous contact throughout the faying
surface area as is commonly achieved in joints of thinner plates. This is
generally not detrimental to the performance of the joint.
As used in Section 8.1, the term “undue damage” is intended to mean
damage that would be sufficient to render the product unfit for its intended use.
The definition of a snug-tightened joint was temporarily changed in the
2009 specification and has now reverted back to the same definition specified in
2004. While the 2009 definition was suitable for inspection of bearing type
connections, that definition was found to be inadequate to define a suitable
starting point for the turn-of-nut method.

Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts, August 1, 2014

RESEARCH COUNCIL ON STRUCTURAL CONNECTIONS