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WILLIAM A. THORNTON
INTRODUCTION
The 8th Edition AISC Manual1 uses a model (Fig. 1) for
predicting the prying force which was recommended in the
book by Fisher and Struik.2 Unlike the approach taken in the
7th Edition Manual, this method is not restricted to specific
bolt-plate combinations, since all major parameters which
influence the prying action are included in the model. The Q
denotes the prying force per bolt and is assumed to act as a
line load at the edge of the flange. Test results have shown
this to be a reasonable assumption for conditions near
ultimate, as long as the edge distance a is within certain
limits. The tensile load in the fastener is Bc, and the
corresponding applied load per bolt is equal to T. The
bending moment at the interface between the web and the
flange is taken as Mc, and the moment at the bolt line due to
prying force Q is taken equal to δαMc where δ is equal to the
ratio of the net area (at the bolt line section bb) and the gross
area (at the web face section aa) of the flange. The α
represents the ratio between the moment per unit width at the
centerline of the bolt line and the flange moment at the web
face. When α = 0, it corresponds to the case of single
curvature bending, i.e., no prying action, and α = 1
corresponds to double curvature bending and maximum
prying action. Note that, from physical considerations, 0 ≤ α
≤ 1.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
Considering equilibrium of the portions of the flange shown
in Figs. 1c and 1d, the following independent equilibrium
equations result:
Mc – Tb + Qa = 0
T + Q – Bc = 0 Fig. 1. Prying action analytical model
Qa – δαMc = 0
* This paper is part of the author's paper "Details in Bolted Steel
Construction," presented at the AISC National Engineering
Conference, Tampa, Florida, March, 1984. It was also presented
William A. Thornton, PhD, is Chief Engineer, Cives Corporation, in the BSCE/ASCE Structural Group Lecture Series, at MIT,
Atlanta, Georgia. October 1983
δα
T 1 + ρ ≤ B
1 + δα
8Bb′
tc =
pFy
2
T t
= (1 + δα ) (3)
Fig. 2. Influence of flange deformations on location of resultant B tc
bolt force
Thus, curves b are given by: known, and any value of T/B from 0 to curve OABP is a
2 solution. Obviously, efficient solutions are those that lie on
Q t
= δαρ (4) curve OAB. Points on this curve give the least required
B tc material thickness t for a given applied tension T, or the
The curve c in Fig. 3 is the locus of points for which: largest allowable applied load T for a given material
thickness. Thus, methods for achieving points which are on or
T Q
+ =1 close to curve OAB will be developed.
B B
and is given by: METHODS OF SOLUTION
1 t
2 Method 1.
T
= 1 + ρ This method solves the problem:
B 1+ ρ tc
Given: T, a', b', p, Fy, and B
Find: the smallest value of t
The boundary between the region of solutions to
Such that: Inequalities 1 and 2 are satisfied
Inequalities 1 and 2, Region A and the remainder of the
It can be verified that the solution to this problem is given by
solution space, Region B, is denoted by the cross-hatched
the following algorithm:
curve ROABP of Fig. 3. It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that
there is no unique solution to the prying action problem. For 1. Check T ≤ B; if so proceed, if not use more or stronger
instance, if the applied tension is given, T/B is known and bolts
any value of t/tc from curve OAB to t/tc → ∞ is a solution. 1 B
2. Then calculate β = − 1
Likewise, if t is given, t/tc is ρT
11 × 175
. Table 1. Interaction Expressions for Bearing
t prelim = 2 =.6894
4.5 × 36 Connections
On the basis of tprelim = .6894, a tee cut from a W18 × 60, Value of B
with tact = .695, is chosen, and the following geometric
parameters ensue: b = 1.792, a = 1.778 < 1.25 × 1.792, b' = Bolt Type Threads Included Threads Excluded
1.417, a' = 2.153, δ = .819, p = b'/a' = .6582. Then: A325 55Ab – 1.8V ≤ 44Ab 55 – 1.4V ≤ 44Ab
1 19.4 A490 68Ab – 1.8V ≤ 54Ab 68Ab – 1.4V ≤ 54Ab
β= − 1 = 116
.
.6582 11 A307 26Ab – 1.8V ≤ 20Ab
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
Thus Table 2. Interaction Expressions for Friction
Connections
8 × 8.95 × 15.
treqd = =.605 < .625 o.k.
4.5 × 36 × 1819
. Bolt Type Value of B (or Br)
V
The -angle is therefore satisfactory. The prying force, if A325 Tb 1 − ≤ 44 Ab
required, can be calculated in the same manner as explained Ab Fv
in Ex. 1, as follows: V
A490 Tb 1 − ≤ 54 Ab
Ab Fv
8 × 16.253 × 15.
tc = = 10972
.
4.5 × 36 The interaction equations for friction type connections are
summarized in Table 2. Proceeding now with Ex. 4:
1 8.95/16.253
α act = − 1 = .8513 4.47
.819 (.625/ 10972
. )2
B = 28 1 − = 14.542 kips < 19.4 kips o.k.
9.3
2
.625 V = 4.47 kips < 9.3 kips o.k.
Qact = 16.253 × .819 × .8513 × .8 ×
10972
.
Then:
= 2.942 kips
1 14.542
β= − 1 =.7810
.8 8.95
Example 4
Suppose the connection of Ex. 3 above is required to be a 1 .7810
α = min , 1
friction type connection. Let the faying surfaces be blast .819 1−.7810
= min {4.35431 . }= 1
cleaned and coated with inorganic zinc primer, thus
producing surface class F. Let the holes be standard holes
and assume that threads are not necessarily excluded from 8 × 8.95 × 15.
t reqd = =.605 <.625 o.k.
shear planes. Then, the allowable bolt shear stress is Fv = 21 4.5 × 36 × 1819
.
ksi.
From AISC Specification Sect. 1.6.3, the interaction The -angles and -dia, bolts are satisfactory for a friction-
equation for friction type connections is: type connection.
The prying force is calculated, as before, by calculating
f A tc, αact and Qact as:
Fv′ = 1 − t b Fv
Tb 8 × 14.542 × 15
.
tc = = 10379
.
where F'v is the reduced allowable bolt shear stress, ft is the 4.5 × 36
bolt tensile stress due to a direct load applied to all of the 1 8.95/14.542
α act = − 1 =.8514
bolts in the connection, Ab is the nominal bolt cross-sectional .819 (.625/10379
. )2
area and Tb is the specified bolt pretension load from
2
Specification Table 1.23.5. It will be noticed this interaction 6.25
Qact = 14.542 × .819 × .8514 × .8 ×
equation is expressed in a form inverse to the interaction 10379
.
equations for bearing type connections. This inverse form is
= 2.942 kips
not convenient for use in the prying equations because these
require an expression which gives the allowable bolt tension Alternate formulation for the friction-type connection As is
B as a function of the applied shear. Thus, inverting the well known, there is no interaction between tension and shear
above friction type interaction expression to the required in friction-type connections when the tension is not applied to
form, we get: all the bolts of the group. This situation occurs when the bolt
tension is caused by a moment due to eccentric shear, such as
V
B = Tb 1 − ≤ Ab Ft occurs, for instance, in bracket connections. In this case, the
Ab Fv reduction in shear capacity due to unloading of the faying
surfaces in the vicinity of the tension bolts is picked up by an
where Ft is the allowable bolt tensile stress in the absence of
increase in shear capacity due to increased loading of the
shear, and the applied bolt shear V must satisfy the
faying surfaces in the compression zone. Something akin to
inequality:
this occurs in prying connections. The faying surfaces
V ≤ AbFv adjacent to
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
the bolt are unloaded by the prying force Q, but the faying Method 2.
surface compression near the toes of the angles or tee flanges Let us now proceed to the second method of solution to the
is increased due to the Q force. For this reason, interaction prying action problem which yields points which are on or
need not be applied to the total bolt tension T + Q, but only near curve OAB.
to that part T caused by the direct load.
Consider the problem:
Introducing the notation:
Given: t, a', b', p, Fy and B
V Find: the largest value of T
Br = Tb 1 − ≤ Ab Ft Such that: Inequalities 1 and 2 are satisfied
Ab Fv
It can be verified the solution to this problem is given by
where Br is called the reduced allowable bolt tension, and the following algorithm:
letting B now represent the unreduced bolt tension (= AbFt),
the solution to this alternate formulation is exactly the 1. Check T ≤ B; if so, proceed; if not use more or stronger
previous Method 1 solution with Step 1 changed to: bolts
2. Then, calculate:
1a. Check T ≤ Br
1 8Bb′
In all remaining steps and subsidiary calculations, when B α = 2 − 1
δ(1 + ρ) pt Fy
appears, it is the unreduced value.
Applying this algorithm to Ex. 4: 3. If α < 0, set α = 0 (bolts control), and
4.47 B(1 + δα )
Br = 28 1 − = 14.542 kips (< 19.4 kips) Tallow = =B
9.3 1 + δα (1 + ρ)
Since T = 8.95 kips < 14.542 kips, the solution may proceed. 4. If α > 1, set α = 1 (material thickness controls), and
If T > Br, more or larger bolts would have to be used to pt 2 Fy
proceed. Continuing: Tallow = (1 + δα )
8b′
1 19.4 5. If 0 ≤ α ≤ 1 (bolts and material thickness both control),
β= − 1 = 14595
.
.8 8.95 and
B (1 + δα )
Since β > 1, set α = 1, and: Tallow =
1 + δα (1 + ρ)
or
8 × 8.95 × 15.
t reqd = = .605 < .625 o.k. pt 2 Fy
4.5 × 36 × 1819
. Tallow = (1 + δα )
8b′
Thus the -angle and A325F -dia. bolts are satisfactory. The two values given for Tallow for the latter case will
The alternate formulation does not, for this example, yield a always be equal. The designer can choose which one he
different result, but it is a much more liberal solution which prefers to calculate.
can yield significantly reduced angle or tee flange As in Method 1, an initial choice of section is made to
thicknesses. Reductions in thickness of 10% to 15%, when get t, a' and b'. The initial choice can be based, as before, on:
compared to those obtained from the initial solution method
Tb
presented for friction-type connections, can be obtained. t prelim = 2
Completing the solution, the actual prying force is pFy
calculated as follows: Once a section is chosen, Tallow is calculated. If Tallow > T, the
choice is adequate. If Tallow < T, choose a thicker t, reduce
8 × 19.4 × 15
.
tc = = 11988
. cross-centers, use more or stronger bolts, and try again.
4.5 × 36 When a satisfactory section is found, the prying force Q
can be found using the same formulas developed in Method 1,
1 8.95/19.4
α act = 2
− 1 =.8514 i.e.,
.819 (.625/11988
. ) 1 T/B
α act = − 1
2 δ (tact / tc ) 2
.625
Qact = 19.4 × .819 × .8514 × .8 ×
11988
2
. Q t
= δα act ρ act
B act tc
= 2.942 kips
calculations, such as the determination of the actual prying Since α = 1.1922 > 1, set α = 1, and:
force Q.
Tallow = 9.59 kips > 8.95 kips o.k.
Example 5
Using the same data as Ex. 1 of Method 1, the preliminary From the calculations of Ex. 3, αact = .8514 and Qact = 2.942
selection calculation is performed as in Ex. 1. Then with tact kips. The second (alternate) method given in Ex. 4 proceeds
= .695, a' = 2.153, b' = 1.417, p = 4.5, δ = .819, p = .6582, T as follows:
= 11 < B = 19.4 Br = 14.542 kips > 8.95 kips, so calculate α as:
8 × 19.4 × 1417 1 8 × 19.4 × 15.
α=
1 .
− 1 = 1333 α= − 1 = 18171
.
. . ) 4.5 × .6252 × 36
.819 × 16582
. 4.5 × .695 × 36
2 .819(18
Since α = 1.8171 > 1, set α = 1, then
Since α = 1.333 > 1, set α = 1, and
Tallow = 9.59 kips > 8.95 kips o.k.
4.5 × .6952 × 36 From the calculations of Ex. 3, αact = .8514. Qact = 2.942
Tallow = × 1819
. = 12.56 kips
8 × 1417
. kips.
Since 12.56 kips > 11.0 kips, the W18×60 tee and ¾-dia. As mentioned earlier, the alternate method for friction
bolts are o.k. To calculate the prying force: connections can yield significantly lighter (cheaper)
connections than the first method, but the above examples,
8 × 19.4 × 1417
.
tc = = 11651
. which are taken from the AISC Manual, do not show this.
4.5 × 36 Consider then the following example:
1 11/19.4
α act = 2
− 1 =.7246 Example 8
.819 (.695/11651
. ) The framed connection shown in Fig. 4 is subjected to 65
2 kips of shear. The shop and field bolts are A325 ¾ -dia. A
.695
Qact = 19.4 × .819 × .7246 × .6582 × friction-type connection is required and the surface class is
11651
.
A– clean mill scale. Standard holes are used, so Fv = 17.5
= 2.696 kips ksi. Determine the maximum tension this connection can
As expected (and obvious from the equations used), this is carry.
the same result obtained by Method 1. The fundamental parameters can be calculated from the
given information. Thus:
Example 6 b = 3 – .625 = 2.3750
This is the same as Ex. 3 of Method 1. Given the data of Ex. b' = 2.3750 – .3750 = 2.0
3, T = 8.95 < B = 16.253, so proceed to calculate α as:
8.5 − 65
.
1 8 × 16.253 × 15
. a= = 10
. (< 125
. × 2.3750 o.k.)
α= − 1 = 14123
. 2
. ) 4.5 × .625 × 36
.819(18 2
a' = 1.375
Since α = 1.4123 > 1, set α = 1, and ρ = 2/1.375 = 1.4545
4.5 × .6252 × 36 13/16
Tallow = × 1819
. = 9.59 kips δ = 1− =.7292
8 × 15
. 3
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
Since α = 3.5521 > 1, set α = 1, and
3 × .6252 × 36
Tallow = (1 + .7292) = 4.559
8 × 2.0
Remembering that the applied tension cannot exceed Br:
Tallow = min {4.559, Br} = 4.4554 kips
and the total allowable applied tension is:
Ttotal = 4.4554 × 10 = 44.55 kips
which is 32% greater than the previously obtained value of
33.78 kips. It can be seen that the alternate method is the
significantly more economical method of the two.
It must be kept in mind there are other checks, involving
the shop bolts and beam web, that must be made to assess the
capacity of this joint. Thus, 44.55 kips calculated above may
not be the tensile capacity of the joint. The reader can verify
that the maximum allowable tension, at 65 kips shear, is
41.84 kips, based on resultant shear in the shop bolts.
Methods 1 and 2 for the solution to the prying action
problem provide optimal solutions from the point of view of
least material thickness or maximum capacity, respectively.
Figure 4
Any other method of solution which achieves a point (t/tc,
T/B) in region A of Fig. 3, is an acceptable method. Method
3, which follows, is just such a method. It is an organized
p=3
version of the method given on pp. 4-89 and 4-90 of the
V = 65/10 = 6.5 kips Manual.
Solution by "basic" Method:
Method 3.
An initial choice of thickness t is required for this method.
.
65
B = 28 1 − = 4.4554 < 19.4 o. k. Note that in Methods 1 and 2, an initial t was not required
7.73 except that it was needed to estimate a' and b'. After
choosing number, type and arrangement of bolts, proceed as
1 8 × 4.4554 × 2.0
α= − 1 follows:
.7292 × 2.4545 3 × .6252 × 36 Choose t = tact, calculate a', b', p, T, V, B, δ.
= .3854 Then