Bolted Joint Excel Calculations

John Andrew, P.E.

Course Outline

This 3-PDH course can be used to calculate the: shear, bending, and torsion strength of many types of bolted joints.

The calculations within this live spreadsheet will facilitate the initial design and engineering of many types of bolted and riveted joints. When various factors are typed into the Input cells, Excel will calculate results automatically. In addition, the powerful tool, "Goal Seek" can be used to optimize each Calculation.

Step-by-step illustrated examples show how to use the spread sheet tools to optimize bolted joint designs. This course is divided into 3 sections.

1. Bolts in Tension
2. Bolts in Shear
3. Math tools

The course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course the student will have:

• seen examples of typical bolted connections;
• analyzed the elastic force balance in typical bolted joints;
• examined the friction calculation in typical bolted joints;
• considered turns of the nut connection control;
• links to bolt allowable torque data;
• calculated the tension strength of bolted connections;
• calculated the shear strength of bolted connections;
• calculated the bearing strength of bolted connections;
• calculated the torsion strength of bolted connections; and
• used Excel’s “Goal Seek” to optimize the design of bolted joints.
  
  

Intended Audience

The information will be especially useful to: students, engineers, architects, and innovators who want to a convenient method for calculating the strength of bolted connections.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendee of this course will have live spread sheets for calculating the strength of the most common types of bolted connections.

Course Introduction

This course adheres to the recommendations of the American Institute of Steel Construction, AISC.

Course Content

You need to download and study the following spreadsheet:

Bolted Joint Excel Calculations

DISCLAMER: "This spreadsheet is provided for illustrative teaching purpose only, and is not intended for use in any specific project. Anyone making use of theinformation contained in this spreadsheet does so at his/her own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom."

Course Summary

A brief and to the point summary is provided in these lesson notes and Excel spreadsheets that will provide information that can be used to solve bolted connection design problems and create new calculation methods.

Related Links

1. Allowable torque for U.S.S / S.A.E. bolts: Angelfire.com

2. Allowable torque for S.A.E. bolts: http://www.engineersedge.com/torque_table_sae.htm

3. Allowable torque for S.A.E. bolts: http://www.raskcycle.com/techtip/webdoc14.html

4. Bolt torque calculator: http://www.engineersedge.com/calculators/torque_calc.htm

5. Bolt torque calculator: Futek.com

 

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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