Course : S0844 - Theory and Design of Steel Structure

Year : February 2013

High Tension Bolt (HTB) Connection

Session 17 - 18
 Learning Outcomes

Student will be able to design the steel

connection

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 Outline

Definition of High Tension Bolt

Specification of High Tension Bolt
Bolt Distance
Allowable stress
Design of High tension Bolt Connection

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 1. Most structural failures are the result of poorly designed or
detailed connections.
2. In many cases, the connections are not designed by the
same engineer who designs the rest of the structure, but by
the steel fabricator who furnishes the material for the
project.
3. Modern steel structures are connected by welding or bolting
or by a combination of both.
4. A welded connection is often simpler in concept and requires
few, if any, holes. However, skilled workers are required for
welding, and inspection can be difficult and costly.
5. Quality welding can be more easily ensured under the
controlled conditions of a fabricating shop.
6. Welds are weak in shear and are usually assumed to fail in
shear, regardless of the direction of loading

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 Category of Connections According to the
type of loading

a. Shear, cases (a), (b) & (c)

b. Tension, case (d)
c. Shear and Tension, case (e)

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 HIGH STRENGTH BOLT

As a nut is advanced along the threads of a bolt, the

connected parts undergo compression and the bolt
elongates. If an external load P is applied, a friction force will
develop between the connected parts. The maximum
possible value of this force is: F= N
= coefficient of static friction between the connected parts
N = normal compressive force acting on the inner surfaces.

The value of will depend on the surface condition of the

steel. If P is greater than F and slippage occurs, shear and
bearing will then exist and will affect the capacity of the
connection

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 HIGH STRENGTH BOLT

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 INSTALLATION OF HTB

1. The turn-of-the-nut method

2. Calibrated wrench tightening
3. Alternate design bolts
4. Direct tension indicator

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 Shear Strength of High-Strength Bolts

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 Slip-Critical Connections

No slippage is permitted that is, the friction force must not be

exceeded (bridge connections).

To prevent slip, the service load shear on the fastener (resistance
to slip is a serviceability requirement) must not exceed Rn , where
= 1 and Rn = Fv Ab

Fv = allowable slip load per unit area of bolt which is a function of . For class

A surface (clean mill scale):

Fv = 17 Ksi for A325

Fv = 21 Ksi for A490

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