Bolt and Weld Bench

Bolt layout

Set the pattern and every dimension is checked against J3.3, J3.4 and J3.5 as you type. Red means the code says no.

Hole dimensions

Table J3.3. The four hole types drawn to scale for the bolt you picked, so the difference is obvious.

Holes to scalefor ∅

Nominal hole dimensionsTable J3.3

Oversized holes are not permitted in bearing-type connections; short-slotted holes must be perpendicular to the load unless slip-critical. Long slots are allowed in one ply only.

Edge distance and spacing

Minimum edge distance is tabulated; minimum spacing, maximum spacing and maximum edge distance are formulas that depend on the bolt and the ply.

What applies to your boltJ3.3, J3.4, J3.5

Minimum edge distance, all sizesTable J3.4

Measured from the centre of a standard hole to the edge of the connected part. For oversized and slotted holes add C₂ from Table J3.5.

Bolt strength

Available shear and tension per bolt, pretension for slip-critical work, and the combined check of J3.7.

Nominal fastener strengthTable J3.2

Minimum pretension T_bTable J3.1

Equal to 70% of the minimum tensile strength, rounded. Required for slip-critical joints and for joints subject to fatigue or reversal.

Bearing and tearout

J3.10 at bolt holes. Tearout uses the clear distance l_c, which is why edge distance changes the answer.

Bearing and tearout at one boltJ3.10

“Deformation considered” is the usual case and gives the lower value. Use the edge bolt for the governing tearout check — it has the smaller l_c.

Slip-critical resistanceJ3.8

μ = 0.30 for Class A (unpainted mill scale or Class A coating), 0.50 for Class B (blast-cleaned or Class B coating). D_u = 1.13.

Fillet welds

Minimum size is set by the thicker part; maximum size by the edge it runs along. Strength gets a bonus when the load is not parallel to the weld.

Weld sectionleg, throat, angle

Minimum fillet sizeTable J2.4

Governed by the thicker of the two parts joined, but never larger than the thickness of the thinner part. Maximum size along an edge: the material thickness if under 1/4 in., otherwise t − 1/16 in. (J2.2b).

Strength per inch of weldJ2.4

φR_n = 1.392 D kip/in. per sixteenth for E70XX loaded parallel, where D is the number of sixteenths. The directional increase (1.0 + 0.50 sin^1.5θ) applies to a linear weld group loaded through its centre of gravity.

Usual gages in angle legs

The workable gage lines a detailer assumes when bolting through an angle leg.

Usual gagesManual Table 1-7A

g is the single gage line; g₁ and g₂ are the two lines used when the leg takes a double row. Check the bolt fits: the entering and tightening clearances of Manual Table 7-16 still apply.

Where the gage sitsmeasured from the heel

Values are transcribed from AISC 360-16 Chapter J and the Steel Construction Manual, 16th Edition, and computed live from the inputs above. This is a detailing aid: it covers hole geometry, spacing, edge distance, fastener and fillet-weld strength, bearing, tearout and slip resistance. It does not cover block shear (J4.3), prying action, weld groups analysed by the instantaneous centre method, bolt fatigue, connection ductility, or any of the specific connection types in Manual Part 9 through 15. Verify anything that governs against the Specification before it goes on a drawing.