Question

The possibility of block shear failure increases by

(a) larger connection length

(b) increasing the number of bolts per connection

(c) with use of low strength bolts

(d) with use of high bearing strength material

This question was addressed to me in a national level competition.

This interesting question is from Modes of Failure, Slenderness Ratio and displacement topic in division Design of Tension Members of Design of Steel Structures

Answer 1

Correct choice is (d) with use of high bearing strength material

Explanation: The block shear failure becomes a possible mode of failure when material bearing strength and bolt shear strength are higher. When high bearing strength of material and high strength bolts are used, only few bolts are required in connection. Decreasing number of bolts per connection results in smaller connection length, but the possibility of block shear failure increases.