Question

which of the following condition is true for web side plate connection?

(a) HSFG bolts should be used

(b) Bolts should be designed to fail by shear of bolt

(c) Bolts should be designed to fail by bearing of connected plies

(d) Edge distances must be less than two times the bolt diameter

The question was posed to me in an interview for job.

This intriguing question originated from Simple Connections topic in portion Bolted Connections of Design of Steel Structures

Answer 1

Right answer is (c) Bolts should be designed to fail by bearing of connected plies

To elaborate: The following condition must be considered for web side plate connection (i) only ordinary bolts should be used, (ii) bolts should be designed to fail by bearing of connected plies ad not by shear of bolt, (iii) edge distances must be greater than two times the bolt diameter.