Computer-Controlled Hydraulic Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
Applies tensile load up to 300 kN with digital load measurement accuracy of ± 0.5%.
Civil Engineering / Double Shear Bolted Joint
FREE TO EXPLORELABORATORY 17 · CIVIL ENGINEERING
Double Shear Strength & Joint Compliance of High-Strength Structural Bolted Connections
Determine the shear load-deformation response, double-shear capacity, and joint shear compliance of high-strength structural bolted steel connections according to ASTM A325 / AISC 360. Explore interactive structural mechanics, materials simulation, and civil engineering telemetry.
STRUCTURAL MATERIALS · MECHANICS · GEOTECHNICAL · HYDRAULICS · HIGHWAYS · SURVEYING
Your virtual civil engineering laboratory.
JOINT SHEAR DEFORMATION Δ—
CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE TELEMETRY
Ready to sample with Shear Load P = 60.0 kN.
Adjust Shear Load P, then execute civil engineering measurement.
Civil engineering telemetry is evaluated rigorously using 64-bit IEEE 754 precision. Residuals reflect ordinary least-squares regression across successive observations. Continuous data structures support high-fidelity structural mechanics and geotechnical continuum modeling.
Civil engineering assumptions and boundary condition limits
The civil engineering physical models apply within the specified calibrated operational window (20.0 to 120.0 kN). ASTM A325 Grade 8.8 structural bolt (M16, nominal diameter 16.0 mm, nominal area A_b = 201.06 mm^2, total double shear area 2 A_b = 402.12 mm^2). Linearized regression relates joint shear deformation Δ directly to load P with compliance slope 0.0285 mm/kN.
Laboratory apparatus & testing equipment.
Double-Shear Butt Joint Test Fixture
Precision machined ASTM A36 steel main plates (16 mm thick) and dual splice plates (10 mm thick).
High-Strength Structural Steel Bolts (ASTM A325 / Grade 8.8)
M16 x 75 mm bolts with matching hardened heavy hex nuts and F436 washers.
Calibrated Digital Calibrated Torque Wrench
Applies standardized bolt pretension torque to achieve slip-critical clamping force.
Dual Linear Displacement Sensors (LVDT)
Mounted across plate interface to measure relative joint shear displacement Δ to 0.001 mm.
Vernier Hole Callipers & Depth Micrometer
Measures bolt diameter, plate thickness, and hole clearance to 0.01 mm precision.
FOLLOW THE METHOD
A reason behind every step.
Determine the shear load-deformation response, double-shear capacity, and joint shear compliance of high-strength structural bolted steel connections according to ASTM A325 / AISC 360. Standardized parameter settings: 20.0, 40.0, 60.0, 80.0, 100.0, 120.0 kN.
01
Joint Plate & Bolt Dimensional Inspection
Measure bolt diameter d (16.0 mm), plate thicknesses, and hole diameters (18.0 mm standard hole) using digital callipers to 0.01 mm.
02
Joint Assembly & Torque Tightening
Assemble main plate between dual splice plates; insert bolt with hardened washers beneath bolt head and nut; tighten nut with torque wrench to standard pretension (100 N·m).
03
UTM Grip Installation & Alignment
Mount connection assembly into hydraulic wedge grips of the UTM; ensure strict axial alignment to eliminate out-of-plane bending.
04
LVDT Sensor Mounting & Zeroing
Attach dual LVDT displacement gauges across the main plate/splice plate interface to monitor relative shear displacement; tare electronic channels.
05
Monotonic Tensile Loading
Apply tensile load P at a steady rate of 5.0 kN/min; log joint shear deformation Δ at 20.0, 40.0, 60.0, 80.0, 100.0, and 120.0 kN.
06
Shear Stress & Compliance Calculation
Calculate average double shear stress τ = P / (2 A_b); plot Δ versus P to determine joint shear compliance slope.
YOUR NOTEBOOK · 0 OBSERVATIONS
Turn measurements into civil engineering insight.
Points are your recorded observations. The solid regression line validates Double Shear Bolted Joint mathematical scaling.
LINEAR REGRESSION FIT · y = mx + b
Δ = 0.0285 · P
| # | Applied Tensile Shear Load P (kN) | Joint Shear Deformation Δ (mm) | Applied tensile load P (kN) | Joint shear deformation Δ (mm) | Remove |
|---|
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CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Explain what the civil engineering metrics mean.
In a double-shear bolted connection under total tensile load P, the shear force resisted by each shear plane is:
The nominal shear area of an M16 bolt (16 mm diameter) is approximately:
A slip-critical bolted joint transfers load primarily through:
The turn-of-nut method for tensioning structural bolts typically requires rotating the nut past snug-tight by:
THEORY AND STRUCTURAL CONTEXT
Civil engineering background & physical principles.
Bolted connections represent the primary joining technique in structural steel buildings, industrial truss bridges, and offshore platforms, enabling rapid on-site erection without specialized field welding. Structural bolts are subjected to shear in two primary connection configurations: single shear (lap joints) and double shear (butt joints with dual splice plates). Double shear connections are vastly superior because the symmetric dual splice plates eliminate eccentric bending moments and prying forces, doubling the effective shear resistance area. Under ASTM A325 / AISC 360, when a tensile load P is applied across a double-shear butt splice joined by a bolt of nominal diameter d, the load is resisted by two parallel shear failure planes intersecting the bolt shank. The average nominal shear stress on each shear plane is τ = P / (2 A_b) = P / [2 (π d^2 / 4)]. Prior to slip, friction between tightly clamped plate surfaces resists the load (slip-critical connection); once clamping friction is overcome, the bolt goes into direct mechanical bearing against hole walls, exhibiting an elastic joint shear deformation Δ proportional to applied load P. In this laboratory investigation, double-shear bolted joints are tested across load levels from 20 to 120 kN to evaluate joint shear compliance and determine shear performance.
Δ = 0.0285 · P
ASTM A325 Grade 8.8 structural bolt (M16, nominal diameter 16.0 mm, nominal area A_b = 201.06 mm^2, total double shear area 2 A_b = 402.12 mm^2). Linearized regression relates joint shear deformation Δ directly to load P with compliance slope 0.0285 mm/kN.