Rev.

3-4-09
8tructural Bolting
AS1M A325 and AS1M A490 are the two U.S. standard structural bolts. \hen looking at the mechanical
requirements o bolts it appears that an AS1M A325 and SAL J429 Grade 5 are identical as do the AS1M
A490 and the SAL J429 Grade 8.
1his begs the question, Can an SAL J429 Grade 5 be used when an AS1M A325 is speciied` 1he
answer is deinitely no. 1his is also the case or substituting a Grade 8 when A490 is speciied, and here
are some reasons why:
lirst, A325 and A490 bolts are produced with a heay hex
head coniguration which proides a wider bearing surace
oer which to distribute the load. Grade 5 and 8 bolts are
produced to standard hex cap screw coniguration and
thereore cannot distribute the load as much as is needed or
structural applications.
Second, the shank length ,non-threaded portion o the body,
on the A325 and A490 bolts is designed to be greater ,shorter
thread lengths, than your standard hex bolt or hex cap screw.
Remember, the weakest section o standard carbon steel
asteners is through the threaded region. Minute design
changes such as this can create a stronger tensile connection.
1hird, the dierence in thread length is also likely to result in a
change in shear strength. 1he ollowing two diagrams
demonstrate this dierence:
I both bolts are -10 x 4, Bolt X has the shear plane acting through the body o the bolt, while Bolt N
has its shear plane acting through the threaded portion. Assuming that both asteners hae an ultimate
shear capacity o 2,000 PSI, just how many pounds would each astener be capable o handling 1o
determine the load in pounds, one must irst calculate the area o material or each example.


Notice the Grade 5 has a much smaller head
coniguration and a shorter shank then the A325
structural bolt.


Rev. 3-4-09
Bolt X has the cross sectional area in the shank ,body diameter,. 1hereore, in the worst case scenario the
minimum body diameter is 0.29 inches. By applying the principles o geometry one can calculate the
area o a circle with this diameter. Bolt X has a material cross sectional area o 0.41 square inches. 1ake
0.41 sq-in. and multiply by 2,000 PSI and you`re let with nearly 30,000 pounds.
lor Bolt N`s calculation the root area must be used ,as the shear plane intersects the threads,, which is
0.302 sq-in. Now take this and multiply by the same 2,000 PSI and it results in approximately 21,40
pounds.
By merely ensuring that the shear load is applied to the body o the bolt, the shear strength can improe
by 8,260 pounds. On the other hand, i the application calls or the shank to be in the shear plane,
substituting a Grade 5 ,with its longer thread length, would place the threads in the shear plane, resulting
in an 8,260 lbs. reduction in shear strength. Otentimes, drawings and blueprints indicate the structural
bolt with an X or an N designation. 1he X indicates that the threads are excluded rom the shear plane
whereas the N indicates that the threads may be included in the shear plane.
Structural bolts are speciically designed or use with heay hex nuts in the connection o structural
members ,as opposed to tapped holes,. 1he nuts or structural connections shall conorm to AS1M
A563 or AS1M A194. 1he ollowing chart will assist in proper structural nut selection. 1he washers used
or structural connections shall meet AS1M l436 speciications. 1his speciication coers both lat
circular and beeled washers.
Mechanical Properties of AS1M A32S and A490 Structural Bolts
(in.) (psi) (psi) Min. Max.
1/4 - 1 85,000 120,000 C25 C34
1 1/8 - 1 1/2 74,000 105,000 C19 C30
1/4 - 1 85,000 120,000 C25 C34
1 1/8 - 1 1/2 74,000 105,000 C19 C30
1/4 - 1 1/2 120,000 150,000 (min) C33 C39
173,000 (max)
1/4 - 1 1/2 120,000 150000 (min) C33 C39
173,000 (max)
Grade DH (plain)
Grade DH3
Min. Tensile
Strength
Core Hardness Rockwell
Grade C3 Grade DH3
ASTM A563 Compatible
Heavy Hex Nut
Grade
Identification
Marking
ASTM A325
Type 3
Weathering steel:
quenched &
tempered
Medium carbon
steel: quenched &
tempered
ASTM A325
Type 1
Size Range Min. Proof
Strength
ASTM A490
Type 1
Weathering steel:
quenched &
tempered
Specification Material
ASTM A490
Type 1
Medium carbon
alloy steel:
quenched &
tempered
Grade C (plain)
Grade DH (plain or
galvanized)

AS1M A563 considers the AS1M A194,A194M heay hex nuts as acceptable equialents or the Dl heay hex nut.

AS1M A325 bolts are aailable in diameters rom ' to 1-1,2 inch diameters ,or diameters greater than
1-1,2, AS1M A449 speciications should be considered, with a minimum tensile strength o 120,000 PSI
or diameters one inch and less and 105,000 PSI or sizes oer one inch to 1-1,2. 1hey also come in two
types. 1ype 1 is a medium carbon steel and can be galanized, 1ype 3 is a weathering steel that oers


Rev. 3-4-09
atmospheric corrosion resistance similar to that o AS1M A242 or A588 steels. 1ype 3 A325 bolts shall
be marked A325` to distinguish them rom standard A325s.
AS1M A490 bolts are aailable in diameters rom ' to 1-1,2 inch diameters with a minimum tensile
strength o 150,000 PSI or all diameters, and are oered in two types. 1ype 1 is alloy steel, and 1ype 3 is
weathering steel that oers atmospheric corrosion resistance similar to that o AS1M A242 or A588
steels. 1ype 3 A490 bolts shall be marked A490`.

AS1M A490 bolts should not be galanized or electroplated. 1he problem with hot dip galanizing is
that the molten bath o zinc exceeds the astener`s tempering temperature and would cause the astener to
anneal in the bath. In addition, a major problem with hot dip galanizing and electroplating A490 bolts is
the potential or hydrogen embrittlement. 1his scenario may occur when atomic hydrogen is introduced
during the pickling process that takes place prior the plating or hot dip galanizing process.

\hen a protectie coating is required or speciied, the only coating allowed by the AS1M A490 standard
is the AS1M l1136 Grade 3. 1his coating has undergone extensie hydrogen embrittlement research in
accordance with IlI 144. 1his is a great opportunity or those interested in corrosion resistant high
strength structural bolts. lor more inormation on the l1136 coating, please contact the lastenal
Lngineering Group at engineerasteanal.com.

According to the Research Council on Structural Connections c,o American Institute of Steel
Construction ,AISC,, or structural applications there are generally three types o connections in which a
bolt is used, snug-tightened, pre-tensioned, and slip critical connections. In accordance with the AISC,
bolts used in pre-tensioned or slip-critical connections are required to be installed to within 0 o the
minimum tensile strength o the bolt.

Due to the uncertainties inoled with torque, it is not alid to use published alues based on a torque-
tension relationship rom a ormula to obtain the accuracy required or structural connections requiring a
minimum clamping orce o 0 o the minimum tensile strength o the bolt.

1here are our methods o installation procedures recognized by the AISC to achiee the tension required
or the ully tensioned bearing or the slip critical connection:
1. 1urn-o-nut method
2. Alternatie design bolt method ,tension control bolts,
3. Direct tension indicating method ,D1I,
4. Calibrated wrench method.

1urn-of-Nut
1his method inoles tightening the astener to a low initial snug tight` condition and then applying a
prescribed amount o turn to deelop the required preload. 1he actual preload will depend on how ar
the nut is turned as well as how much preload was established prior to the turning.
1. Snug the joint to bring the assembly into irm contact. Apply a ew impacts with impact wrench
until solid sound or apply ull eort with a spud wrench.
2. Inspect the joint to eriy snug tight`.


Rev. 3-4-09
3. Match mark bearing ace o the nut and end o the bolt with a single straight line. Note: match
marking is not a part o the RSCS requirements, but can be helpul.
4. Using a systematic approach which would inole the appropriate bolting pattern, apply the
required turns as gien in the table below

Snug` tighten Mark nut and bolt Desired position achieed ,1,3 turn
illustrated,

Condition Under Bolt Head and Under Nut
Bolt Length
Both laces
llat ,normal
to bolt axis,
One ace sloped,
but not more
than 1:20
Both aces
sloped, but not
more than 1:20
Less than or equal to
4D
1,3 1urn ' 1urn 2,3 1urn
More than 4D and less
than or equal to 8D
' 1urn 2,3 1urn 5,6 1urn
More than 8D and less
than or equal to 12D
2,3 1urn 5,6 1urn 1 1urn
D ~ Bolt Diameter
Applicable only to steel joints


Alternative Design Bolts (1ension Control Bolts)

1ension control bolts use design
eatures that indirectly indicate
tension. 1he most common
alternatie design bolt is the
twist-o bolt or tension control
,1C, bolt.

An assembly tool holds this bolt
rom the nut end while an inner
spindle on the tool grips a spline
section connected to the end o
the bolt. An outer spindle on
1. Insert lastener 2. Apply 1C Gun 3. 1ension Nut 4. Remoe Gun



Rev. 3-4-09
the tool turns the nut and tightens the astener. \hen the designated torque has been reached, the
spline snaps o. 1his type o torque control system allows or quick inspection, i the spline is gone
then, in theory, the bolt has been properly tightened.

Although each tension control bolt assembly ,bolt, nut and washer, lot is tested by the manuacture
to ensure it meets the minimum required clamp load, this system is based on torque control to snap
the spline. Because o this torque based system, bolt assemblies must be used in their as-receied
,clean and lubricated by the manuacture,, and strict adherence to the requirements o the
appropriate standard, particularly those or storage, cleanliness, and eriication is necessary.

1he A325 equialent 1C bolts are manuactured to the AS1M l1852 standard ,Standard
Speciication or 1wist O` 1ype 1ension Control Structural Bolt,Nut,\asher Assemblies, Steel,
leat 1reated, 120,105 Ksi Minimum 1ensile Strength,. 1he A490 equialent 1C bolts are to the
AS1M l2280 standard ,Standard Speciication or 1wist O` 1ype 1ension Control Structural
Bolt,Nut,\asher Assemblies, Steel, leat 1reated, 150 Ksi Minimum 1ensile Strength,. Lach bolt
is preassembled with an AS1M l436 lat washer and the appropriate heay hex nut and sold as an
assembly. 1he l1852 bolts are aailable plain inished or mechanically galanized. 1he l2280 bolts
are only aailable in plain inish.

Washer Control
Seeral types o D1I washers are aailable. 1he most common type o washer inoles the use o
hollow bumps on one side o the washer. 1his style o washer is coered by the

D1I Assembly Squirter D1I Washer



AS1M l959 ,Standard Speciication or Compressible-\asher 1ype Direct 1ension Indicators or
Use with Structural lasteners, standard and has both A325 and A490 washers. 1hese bumps are
lattened as the astener is tightened. A eeler gage is used to measure the gap deeloped by the
bumps. \hen the astener has deeloped the appropriate tension, the eeler gage will no longer it
in the gap. Some newer types ill the oid under the bumps with colored silicone. 1he silicone
squirts out once the bumps are compressed, thereby indicating proper tension. 1he D1I washer has
been used in the structural bolting industry or years and is now starting to carry oer into other
ields as well.

It is important to consider that D1I washers can only indicate the minimum tension required to
close the gap. I oer-tightening occurs, the washer would not be able indicate the amount o oer
Beore 1ensioning Ater 1ensioning
Gap
Partial
Gap
lront
Back


Rev. 3-4-09
tensioning. Moreoer, this type o system cannot monitor or
display the amount o bolt relaxation. Since the bumps on the
washer deorm plastically, they will not return to their original
dimensions i the bolt relaxes.
Calibrated Wrench Method
As mentioned initially, or structural bolting, it is not alid to use
published alues based on a torque-tension relationship. In other
words, you cannot use torque rom a ormula. 1he calibrated
wrench method is only alid i installation procedures are calibrated
on a daily basis by tightening not ewer than three representatie
astener assemblies ,typical, or each lot, diameter, length, and grade
with nuts rom each lot, diameter, and grade and with a hardened
washer tightened in a deice ,Skidmore-\ilhelm, capable o
measuring actual bolt tension.

1he Skidmore-\ilhelm tester is one o the only
deices that is able to directly measure bolt
clamp load.