CONNECTIONS:

1. Two plates are connected with G4.6 grade bolts of 20 mm diameter as shown in Figure. Find the
efficiency of the joint. The yield and ultimate strength of plate are 250MPa and 410MPa
respectively.

20 mm

180 mm

Solution:

Strength of a joint is the least of:

a. Strength of the plate in joint

b. Strength of the bolt in the joint against Shear
c. Strength of the bolt in the joint against bearing

a. Strength of the plate in joint

T dn = 0.9 A n f n /γ mn
A n = Net area Available
= 20 ( 180 – 3x22)
= 2280 mm2
Therefore T dn = 2280 x 0.9 x 410 / 1.25 = 673.056 kN

b. Strength of the bolt in the joint against single shear (Shear plane through unthreaded part)
fu  ∏ d 2 
Vnsb =  
3 4 
= (400/ √3)(22/7*1/4*20 )
2

= 56.59 kN
Strength of joint in shear due to all bolts = P s = 6 x 56.59 = 339.54 kN

Page 1 of 16
c. Strength of the bolt in the joint against bearing

V npb = 2.5 k b d t f u

k b = e/3d o = 40/(3x22) = 0.4545

(Assuming flame cutting, e=1.7 d o = 1.7x22 = 37.4mm say 40 mm)

p 60
= − 0.25 = − 0.25 = 0.66 (min. pitch = 2.5d o =55mm, say 60mm)
3do 3x 22

fub 400
= = = 0.975
fu 410

=1

V npb = 2.5 x 0.454 x 20 x 20 x 410 = 186.35 kN

Strength of joint in bearing due to all bolts = P sb = 6 x 186.35 = 1118.1 kN

Strength of plate along 1-1 or 2-2 is given by

P p = (b-nd)t {0.9 f u /γ m1 } = ( 180 – 3 x 22) 20 x 0.9 x 410/1.25 x 10-3= 673 kN.

Strength of solid plate due to yielding = bt f y /γ mo = 818.18 kN.

673
Efficiency = x100 = 82.25 %
818.18

2. Two plates of 16 mm thick are to be joined using M20 bolts of grade 4.6 by
1. Lap joint and 2. Butt joint using 10 mm, two cover plates. Determine the bolt value.

1. Lap joint :
16 mm plates

f  0.78∏ d 2 
x ub 
1
Design shear strength of the bolt =
1.25 3  4 


1 400  0.78∏ 202 

= x = 45.27 kN
1.25 3 4 
 

Page 2 of 16
 Design strength of bolt in bearing = V npb = 2.5 k b d t f u

Assuming flame cutting, e=1.7 d o = 1.7x22 = 37.4mm say 40 mm

and minimum pitch = 2.5d =55mm, say 60mm

k b is the least of

e
= = 40/ (3x22) = 0.606
3do

p 60
= − 0.25 = − 0.25 = 0.66
3do 3x 22

fub 400
= = = 0.975
fu 410

=1

Therefore K b = 0.606

Design strength = 2.5 k b d t f u = 2.5 x 0.606 x 20 x 16 x 400 / 1.25 = 155.14kN

Bolt value = 45.27 kN

2. Butt Joint :

10 mm cover plate

16mm

f ub  1.78∏ d 2 
Design shear strength of the bolt = / 1.25 = 103.31 kN
3  4 


Page 3 of 16
(Since, one plate is connected in the threaded region where as another is through unthreaded. That is
double shear.)

Design strength = 2.5 k b d t f u = 2.5 x 0.606 x 20 x 16 x 400 / 1.25 = 155.36 kN

(k b =0.606 as in the above ); (t is the minimum of (10+10) or 16 )

3. A member of a truss consists of 2 angles ISA(75x75x6)mm placed back to back. It carries

a factored load of 200 kN and is connected to a gusset plate of 8 mm thick placed in
between the angles. Determine the number of 16 mm dia 4.6 grade bolts required for the
joint. Assume f u of the plates as 410 MPa.

Gusset plate

2-ISA 75x75x6 2-ISA 75x75x6

`

f  1.78∏ d 2  400  1.78∏ 16 2 

x ub 
1
Double Shear Strength/ bolt = = / 1.25 = 66.12 kN
1.25 3  4 
 3 

4 


Design Strength of the bearing/ bolt = 2.5 k b d t f u

Assuming flame cutting, e=1.7 d o = 1.7 x 18 = 30.6 mm say 35 mm

and minimum pitch = 2.5d o = 45mm.

k b is the least of

e
= = 35/ (3x18) = 0.648
3do

p 45
= − 0.25 = − 0.25 = 0.584
3do 3 x18

Page 4 of 16
 fub 400
= = = 0.975
fu 410

=1

Therefore k b = 0.584

Design strength = 2.5 k b d t f u = 2.5 x 0.584 x 16 x 8 x 410 / 1.25 x 10-3 = 57.52 kN

200
No of bolts required = = 3.48 = Say 4 bolts.
57.52

[Link] angle section of a truss with 8 mm thick carries 120kN to a gusset plate of 10 mm thick
using lap joint by M20 bolt of 4.6 grade. Find number of bolts.

f  0.78∏ d 2 
x ub 
1
Design shear strength of the bolt = = 45.26 kN
1.25 3 4 
 

Design strength of bolt in bearing / bolt = V npb = 2.5 k b d t f u

Assuming flame cutting, e=1.7 d o = 1.7 x 22 = 37.4mm say 40 mm

& Min. pitch = 2.5d =55mm, say 60mm

k b is the least of

= e/3d o = 40/ (3x22) = 0.606

p 60
= − 0.25 = − 0.25 = 0.66
3do 3x 22

fub 400
= = = 0.975
fu 410

=1

Therefore K b = 0.606

Design strength = 2.5 k b d t f u

= 2.5 x 0.606 x 20 x 8 x 410 / 1.25 = 77.57 kN

Bolt Value = 45.26 kN

Page 5 of 16
 120
No of Bolts required = =3 bolts should be provided.
45.26

6. A bracket connected to a column loaded as shown in fig. if M20 bolt of 4.6 grade are used. Determine
the value of factored load ‘p’ which can be carried safely.

250mm

60 AA
80

80 10mm plate
60

60 60 ISMC 300

Given no. of bolts n = 5

For M 20 bolts d = 20 mm

do = 22 mm

f bolt = 400 N/mm2

fu = 410 N/mm2

ISMC 300, thickness of flange = 13.6 mm

Tanα=80/60, α=53.13°, Cosα=0.6

Bolt value is given as,

f  0.78∏ d 2 
x ub 
1
Design strength of the bolt = = 45.26 kN
1.25 3 4 
 

Design strength of bolt in bearing / bolt = Vnpb = 2.5 k b d t f u / 1.25

Assuming flame cutting, e=1.7 d o = 1.7x22 = 37.4mm say 40 mm

& Min. pitch = 2.5d =55mm, say 60mm

k b is the least of

Page 6 of 16
 e
= = 40/ (3x22) = 0.606
3do

p 60
= − 0.25 = − 0.25 = 0.66
3do 3 x 22

fub 400
= = = 0.975
fu 410

=1

Therefore K b = 0.606

Design strength = 2.5 k b d t f u /1.25 = 2.5 x 0.606 x 20 x 10 x 410 / 1.25 x 10-3 = 99.384 kN

P
Direct shear force on the farthest bolt = F 1 = = 0.2 P
5

Distance of farthest bolt = √602 + 802 = 100 mm

(since ∑𝑟 2 = 4x1002)

Per Px 250x100
We know that F 2 = = = 0.625P
∑r 2
40000 F2
F1

α
Considering bolt A-A,

F1 = 0.2 P
rmax
80mm
F2 = 0.625P α
Therefore cosα = 0.6 CG 60mm

Resultant force in the critical bolt is

F R = �𝐹12 + 𝐹22 + 2𝐹1 𝐹2 cos 𝛼

= √. 04𝑃2 + .39𝑃2 + 0.15𝑃2

Equating resultant force to bolt value, we have,

F R = 0.762P » 45.27 = 0.762P » P = 59.41 kN. (On one Bracket)

Page 7 of 16
7. A Bracket is bolted to a flange of a column ISHB 300 @ 577 N/m as shown in the figure.
Determine the Maximum value of P (factored load) which can be carried safely.

M 20 , bolts of 4.6 Grade are used,

350 mm

2
8 mm plate
1

50
25

ISHB 300

80 90 80

Solution:

Given number of bolts n = 24

For M 20 bolts d = 20 mm

do = 22 mm

f ub = 400 N/mm2

fu = 410 N/mm2

ISHB 300, thickness of flange = 13.6 mm

Page 8 of 16
Bolt value is given as,

f  0.78∏ d 2 
x ub 
1
Design strength of the bolt = = 45.26 kN
1.25 3 4 
 

Design strength of bolt in bearing / bolt = V npb = 2.5 k b d t f u / 1.25

k b is the least of (from the figure, pitch and edge distance are taken)

e
= = 25/ (3x22) = 0.378
3do

p 80
= − 0.25 = − 0.25 = 0.507
3do 3x 22

fub 400
= = = 0.97
fu 410

=1

Therefore K b = 0.378

Design strength = 2.5 k b d t f u /1.25 = 2.5 x 0.378 x 20 x 8 x 410 / 1.25 = 48.38 kN

P
Direct shear force on the farthest bolt (A) = F 1 = = 0.042 P
24

Distance of farthest bolt = √2752 + 702 = 283.76 mm

∑𝑟 2 = 4[283.762+235.632+188.482+143.262+102.592+74.332] = 4[208150] = 832600 mm2

Per Px350x 283.76

Therefore F 2 = = = 0.12p
2 832600
∑r
70
Cosα =
283.76

F R = �𝐹12 + 𝐹22 + 2𝐹1 𝐹2 cos 𝛼

F R = 0.135P

» P = 333.8 kN.

Page 9 of 16
8. A bracket is bolted to flange of a column as shown using 8mm thick gusset plate. Use M 20 of
grade 4.6 design the connections.

300 kN
350 mm

Solution:

For M20 bolts d = 20 mm

do = 22 mm

f ub = 400 N/mm2

fu = 410 N/mm2

e = 40mm say

p = 60mm say

f  0.78∏ d 2 
x ub 
1
Design strength of the bolt = = 45.26 kN
1.25 3  4 


Design strength of bolt in bearing per bolt = V npb = 2.5 k b d t f u / 1.25

k b is the least of

e
= = 40/ (3x22) = 0.606
3do

Page 10 of 16
 p 60
= − 0.25 = − 0.25 = 0.66
3do 3x 22

fub 400
= = = 0.975
fu 410

=1

Therefore K b = 0.606, assuming the thickness of bracket as 8mm less than t f .

Design strength = 2.5 k b d t f u /1.25 = 2.5 x 0.606 x 20 x 8 x 410 / 1.25 = 79.51 kN

6𝑀
We know that e=�
2𝑣𝑝

6 𝑥 350 𝑥 300
=�
2 𝑥 45.26 𝑥 60

= 10.76. Say 12 numbers in each line.

Distance of extreme bolts from CG = r = √702 + 3302 = 337.34 mm

∑𝑟 2 = 4[3302+2702+2102+1502+902+302+6(702)]

∑𝑟 2 = 1147200 mm2

Per 300 x 350 x 337.34

Force in the extreme bolt due to moment = = = 30.87 kN
∑r
2
1147200

P 300
And also F 1 = = = 12.5
n 24

70
Cosα =
337.34

F R = �𝐹12 + 𝐹22 + 2𝐹1 𝐹2 cos 𝛼

F R = 36.65 kN (which is less than bolt value 45.27kN )

Therefore Ok.

Page 11 of 16
9. Determine the shear capacity of the bolt used in connecting 2 plates as shown. Slip resistance
is designed at the service loads. Use HSFG bolts of 8.8 grade µ f =0.3, d= 20mm.

40 65 40 40 65 40

For HSLG bolts of 8.8 Grade with 20mm dia,

F ub = 800MPa

F y = 0.8x800 = 640MPa

1
Design Strength of HSFG bolt = x µf x ne x kn x fo
1.1

Here, µ f = 0.3
ne = 2

K n = 1 (Assumed)

F o = A nb x f o

∏ 2
= 0.78 x d x 0.7 x 800 = 137.2 kN
4

1
Therefore strength = x 0.3 x 2 x 1x 137.2 = 74.85 kN
1.1

Therefore strength of the joint = 2x74.85 = 149.7kN

10. Design the bolted connection between the flange of a column ISHB 450 at 907 N/m and a
bracket plate 15mm thick. The bracket plate is supporting a load of 150 kN at an eccentricity of
350mm. Adopt 20 dia HSFG bolts of grade 8.8 consider µ f =0.3

Page 12 of 16
From the steel table, for ISHB 450,

Width of the flange = b = 250mm

Thickness = t f = 13.7 mm
350
1
Strength of the bolt = x µf x ne x kn x fo
1.1

Here, µ f = 0.3 15mm bracket plate

ne = 1

K n = 1 (Assumed)

F o = A nb x f o

∏ 2
= 0.78 x d x 0.7 x 800 = 137.2
4

1
Therefore strength = x 0.3 x 1 x 1x 137.2 = 37.425 kN
1.1
4
No. of bolts required in each row is 3
2
6𝑀
= �2𝑣𝑝 1

6 𝑥 150 𝑥 350
= �2 𝑥 37.42 𝑥 60

= 8.375. Therefore 9 numbers in each line.

60
Say 18 bolts of totally 40

45 140 45
∑𝑟 2 = {(702+2402) + (702+1802) + (702+1202) + (702+602) +702= 132500mm2.

Per 150 x 350 x 250

= = 99.05 kN
∑r 2
132500

Page 13 of 16
11. Design a suitable longitudinal fillet weld to connect 2 plates as shown in figure for the full
strength of smaller plate.

120mm 180mm

120mm P
S=10mm

12mm thick
16mmthick plate

Solution.

Minimum size of weld = S = 1/3 x 16 = 5.3mm say 6mm.

Maximum size of weld = (12-1.5) = 10.5 mm say 10mm.

So, let the size of the weld be S= 10mm

f u = 410 MPa, f y = 240 Mpa

Ag . fy 120 x 12 x 240
Strength of the plate (due to shear) = = = 314.18 kN ------- i
γ m 1.1

Let effective length of the weld = L w

Let the normal throat thickness of weld = 0.7(size of weld, S) = 0.7x10 = 7mm

fu 1
Design Strength of the weld = x x Area of weld ------ ii
3 1.25

From i and ii we get

410 1
= x x L w x 7 = 314180
3 1.25

That is L w = 237 mm

Therefore provide 10mm thick weld of length 120mm on either side as shown.

Note: The lap can be reduced by providing welds on 3 or 4 sides. For four side welding using
S=6 or 7 mm, suitable lap can be provided.

Page 14 of 16
12. A tie member of a roof truss 2ISA 100x75x8 mm has to resist a factored force of 300kN.
Design the welded connection if 8mm thick gusset plate is used for connection. The connection is
made at the fabricators shop.

135 mm

59 mm 2-ISA 100x75x8
2-ISA 100x75x8

Gusset plate

Sol:

Size of the weld,

Near the curved edge, size of weld = 0.75 x 8 = 6 mm

Near the square edge 1.5 mm less than 8mm = 8-1.5 = 6.5mm

Minimum size of weld = 8/3 = 2.66, say 3 mm.

So adopt 6mm size weld.

fu 1
Strength of weld per unit length = x
3 1.25

410 1
= x = 189.37 N
3 1.25

Equating strength to the given force we get, 300x103 = L w x 6 x 189.37

Therefore L w = 264mm

Actual length = 264 x 100/70 = 377mm say 380mm

L 1 x 31 = 69L 2

69 L 2
L1= and L 1 + L 2 = 190mm
31

On solving, L1 = 131mm and L2 = 59mm

Page 15 of 16
Load carried P = 0.7 x 6 x 190 x 2 x 410/(√3 x1.25) = 302.94 kN

13. Design a suitable Plug weld to connect 2 plates as shown in figure for 100% efficiency.

10 mm

20
10
20 200 mm
10

Ag . fy 200 x 10 x 20
Strength of the plate by yielding = = = 454.54 kN
γ
mo 1.1

Minimum size = 1/3 x10 = 3.33 mm say 4mm.

Maximum = 10 – 1.5 = 8.5mm

So let the size of the weld = 8mm

Total length of the weld available = 200+200=400mm

Effective length of the weld = 2(200-2x8) = 368mm

fu 1
Load taken by the weld = 0.7 S L x x
3 1.25

410 1
= 5.6 x 368 x x = 390.25 kN
3 1.25

To achieve 100% efficiency, slot welds are to be provided to resist a force of (454.54 – 390.25)
That is 64.29 kN.

fu 1 410 1
Strength of the weld/mm2 = = x = x = 189.37 N/mm2
3 1.25 3 1.25

64.29 x10 3
Area of slot = = 339.49 = 340 mm2
189.37

So let the slot size be 10x20 mm2 of 2 slots as shown in figure.

Page 16 of 16