Bolts

If the bolt size is left as unknown, the smallest bolt size used to search for a design will be the bolt size specified in the Initialization File. If no design can be found with larger fasteners, the program attempts a design with smaller fasteners than the default. The factory defaults set for side plates and face plates are ½ inch and ¾ inch, respectively. The following assumptions are used in Connections.

• Washers are applied where there is no face plate.
• Effective shear depth is measured to the centre of the bolt.
• Installation clearances for bolts are as follows: 5/8 in. bolt or smaller 32 mm; 3/4 in. bolt 35 mm; 7/8 in. bolt 37 mm; 1 in. bolt 40 mm.
• Unless specified otherwise, the minimum steel plate thickness is 6 mm.
• The maximum number of bolt rows is 3 and the maximum number of bolts per row is 12.