Comments for Ask the Expert

Comment on Calculating Yield and Tensile Strength by Dane McKinnon

Dane McKinnon — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:48:12 +0000

@Donald E Brundage – I would try to contact the International Code Council or look on their website; they write a lot of the specifications for expansion anchors and those types of construction products. http://www.iccsafe.org/Pages/default.aspx

Comment on Calculating Yield and Tensile Strength by Donald E Brundage Architect

Donald E Brundage Architect — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:55:37 +0000

What is the shear strength required for an expansion bolt into concrete with a load of 3,500 # axial load. In what book is it shown in. can I download it on any website. What would be that website or manufacturer be?

Comment on Galvanizing High Strength Bolts by Dane McKinnon

Dane McKinnon — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:37:31 +0000

Hot dip galvanized A325s are very common here in the US and would be roughly equivalent to 8.8 bolts in terms of chemistry and mechanical properties. If the galvanized coating is not necessary, another option (besides plain finish A325s) would be SAE J429 grade 5 bolts. These are also mechanically equivalent to 8.8 and A325, but are used more for general purpose applications. As for stainless, there are sizes and grades (A193 B8/B8M or F593) that are somewhat available, but they would not be nearly as strong as the heat treated carbon steel bolts, and they would be considerably more expensive.

Comment on Bolt Thread Pitch Series by Dane McKinnon

Dane McKinnon — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:33:59 +0000

@Mallikarjun – That information can be obtained from our thread pitch chart

Comment on Bolt Thread Pitch Series by Mallikarjun

Mallikarjun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:42:59 +0000

how to get thread pitch of unf 10/32

Comment on ASTM A325 vs. Grade 5 bolts by Dane McKinnon

Dane McKinnon — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:26:36 +0000

@Kyle Shaver – You are correct that A325 structural bolts and SAE grade 5 hex bolts are similar in chemistry and mechanical values. A325 bolts are typically used in steel to steel structural connections whereas Grade 5s are typically used in OEM and general purpose applications. We can’t really make recommendations as to which bolt is best for which application, but, being that the two bolts are similar, one could reasonably assume that the Grade 5s could be used in applications where the strength of an A325 is desired, but the application is something other than a structural steel connections.

Comment on Grade 8 and ASTM A325 Bolts Compared by Dane McKinnon

Dane McKinnon — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:56:42 +0000

@Naveed Ahmed – torque is an imprecise way to measure tension, and with all the variables that need to be accounted for, there are no real accurate tolerances published. The best way to determine the proper torque is to do lab testing.

Comment on ASTM A325 vs. Grade 5 bolts by Dane McKinnon

Dane McKinnon — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:45:37 +0000

@Sean McCarthy – Application. A325 structural bolts (and A490s) are specifically used for steel to steel structural connections and are typically tensioned beyond their yield point when installed, whereas SAE grade 5 bolts are used for many general purpose applications and are not normally installed that way.

Comment on Headed Anchor Bolts vs Rod with a Nut by Dane McKinnon

Dane McKinnon — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:26:41 +0000

@John – The concern here is in substituting one for the other. When a rod with nut is substituted for a headed bolt, the concern is that the rod/nut may not perform as well as the headed bolt. At the junction of the nut with threads, the minor diameter is smaller than at the junction of the forged head/shank. When these two combinations are tested in a lab, the forged head is far superior to the rod/nut. A fastener will always fail at it’s weakest point, by substituting the rod/nut for a headed bolt, you are possibly moving that point from the threads on the top to the junction on the bottom. That may create problems and is a decision that an engineer should make.

Comment on Rebar Threading Issues and Solutions by Dane McKinnon

Dane McKinnon — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:01:48 +0000

@Brad Blacketer – #18J rebar starts out slightly oversized to allow for it to be turned down to 2-1/4–4-1/2. The only rebar grades to normally come this way are #18J and #14J. Other sizes are not oversized and must be turned all the way down to the next smaller size in order to be threaded.