Ask the Expert

FAQ: Do headed F1554 anchor bolts have a standard hex head or a heavy hex head?

Answer: ASTM F1554 does not specify whether the headed configuration is to be a standard hex pattern or heavy hex.  Read More...

FAQ: Does the ASTM Require a Rotational Capacity Test for A490 Structural Bolts?

Answer: No, ASTM does not require a rotational capacity test for A490 structural bolts. Read More...

FAQ: Are torque specifications or values available for lag screws?

Answer: There are no documented torque values for lag bolts or screws. Read More...

Question: How do I determine the strength of a specific diameter of bolt?

Answer: In most cases, the strength of a given material used to make a fastener has strength requirements or parameters described as pounds per square inch (psi) or thousands of pounds per square inch (ksi). This is helpful when analyzing what grade of material should be used for a given application, but this doesn’t tell us the actual strength of that diameter of material. In order to calculate the actual strength values of a given diameter, you would use the following formulas:

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In theory, one could potentially carve out a groove that would be sufficient for fitting a shear plate or split ring. However the labor and ability to carve an exact fitting grove would be time consuming as well as tedious. Read More...

Question: Are washers required to be used with an A325 or A490 structural bolt?

Answer: It is known that the required grade of washer to be used with an A325 or A490 structural bolt is an ASTM F436 hardened washer, however whether or not a washer is required to be used in a given application is often brought into question. The purpose of using a flat washer with a bolt is to provide a smooth bearing surface under the head of the bolt and / or nut.

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Question: Can Portland Bolt manufacture a 1″ x 6″ fully threaded A325 heavy hex structural bolt?

Answer: Bolts manufactured to the ASTM A325 specification have a fixed thread length for a given diameter, which is often shorter than most other grades of bolts. This is due to their application of being used in structural steel connections. For example, a 3/4″ diameter A325 has 1-3/8″ of thread and a 1″ A325 has 1-3/4″ of thread, regardless of the overall length of the bolt.

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Question: Is it acceptable practice to alter a bolt’s length in the field if it is too long?

Answer: Altering a bolt’s length or configuration in the field is acceptable as long as it does not change the length originally specified by the designer or engineer. If a bolt is longer than what was originally needed, the bolt can be cut down in the field.

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Question: Can a bolt be reused? If so, what grades and in what scenarios?

Answer: A bolt that has already been used in a given application may or may not be reused, depending on the grade, application, and recommendation of the “Engineer of Record”. There is a tremendous amount of conflicting opinions on this subject, but the only definitive published information we can find on this issue from a reputable source is in regards to ASTM A325 and A490 structural bolts.

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