Relaxation of ASTM A325 Bolted Assemblies
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 9
Abstract
Results from a series of tests intended to study loss of pretension force in bolted assemblies are presented. The test matrix included ASTM A325 assemblies with various direct tension indicators (DTIs), some through-hardened and some not, as well as assemblies without direct tension indicators. Bolt length and diameter and grade of nut were also varied. Load losses were monitored for 42 days (1,000 h). However, load levels generally stabilized after 14 days. Pretension losses were linearly dependent on initial pretension and not affected by DTI or washer configuration. Bolt diameter and length did affect the magnitude of losses over time but not the general linear relationship with initial pretension.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This work was partially funded by TurnaSure, LLC with additional funding provided by Rowan University. Ian Kibblewhite and Load Control Technologies, an Innovation Plus, LLC Company assisted with a portion of the ultrasonic measurements. The findings and conclusions are solely those of the authors.
References
Alma Bolt Company and Prime Fasteners. (2012). “Proof load tensile strength.” 〈http://www.almabolt.com/pages/catalog/bolts/proofloadtensile.htm〉 (Dec. 15, 2012).
ASTM. (1966). “Standard specification for steel bridges and buildings (withdrawn 1967).” ASTM A7-66, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2006). “Standard practice for measuring the change in length of fasteners using the ultrasonic pulse-echo technique.” ASTM E1685–00, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2007). “Standard specification for carbon and alloy steel nuts.” ASTM A563-07a, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2009). “Standard specification for compressible-washer-type direct tension indicators for use with structural fasteners.” ASTM F959-09(2009), West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2010). “Standard specification for structural bolts, steel, heat treated, 120/105 ksi minimum tensile strength.” ASTM A325-10e1, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2011a). “Standard specification for hardened steel washers.” ASTM F436, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2011b). “Standard specification for quenched and tempered alloy steel bolts, studs, and other externally threaded fasteners.” ASTM A354-11, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2013). “Standard specification for compressible-washer-type direct tension indicators for use with structural fasteners.” ASTM F959-13(2013), West Conshohocken, PA.
Bickford, J. H. (1998). “Behavior of a bolted joint during assembly.” Handbook of Bolts and Bolted Joints, J. H. Bickford, and N. Sayed, eds., Marcel Dekker, New York, 436–443.
Chesson, E., Jr., and Munse, W. (1965). “Studies of the behavior of high strength bolts and bolted joints.” Univ. of Illinois.
European Committee for Standardization. (2005). “Design of steel structures. Part 1-8: Design of joints.” EN 1993-1-8.
European Committee for Standardization. (2008). “Execution of steel structures and aluminum structures. Part 2: Requirements for the execution of steel structures.” EN 1090-2, Brussels.
Load Control Technologies. (2011). “Product catalog.” 〈http://www.innovationplus.com/catalogue.php〉 (Jan. 15, 2013).
Nassar, S. (1998). “Use of ultrasonics in bolted joints.” Chapter 34, Handbook of Bolts and Bolted Joints, John H. Bickford, and Sayed Nassar, eds., Marcel Dekker, New York.
Research Council on Structural Connections. (2009). Specification for structural joints using high-strength bolts, American Institute of Steel Construction.
Yang, J., and DeWolf, J. T. (1999). “Mathematical model for relaxation in high strength bolted connections.” J. Struct. Eng., 803–809.
Yang, J., and DeWolf, J. T. (2000). “Relaxation in high strength bolted connections using galvanized steel.” J. Bridge Eng., 99–106.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 9 • September 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 25, 2013
Accepted: Aug 30, 2013
Published online: May 2, 2014
Published in print: Sep 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Oct 2, 2014
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.