STpipe
Structural
- Apr 29, 2010
- 161
I'm looking at the maximum bolt spacing design provisions from AISC and doing a comparison to the Eurocode which I'm more familiar with. Section J3.5 states that the "longitudinal spacing of fasteners between elements (...) shall be as follows:
(a) For painted members or unpainted members not subject to corrosion, the spacing shall not exceed 24 times the thickness of the thinner plate or 12 in. (305 mm).
(b) For unpainted members of weathering steel subject to atmospheric corrosion, the spacing shall not exceed 14 times the thickness of the thinner plate or 7 in. (180 mm)."
The second clause is very similar to the provisions in Table 3.3 of EN 1993-1-8 where the maximum fastener spacing for exposed steel is 14t or 200 mm/180 mm depending on the type of steel you're using. However, am I reading the first clause correctly and that the absolute maximum spacing is 12 in (305 mm) for unexposed steel? If that's the case, why does AISC have such a limit for unexposed steel while the Eurocode doesn't impose any limit on the maximum spacing of fasteners in unexposed environments?
Thanks.
(a) For painted members or unpainted members not subject to corrosion, the spacing shall not exceed 24 times the thickness of the thinner plate or 12 in. (305 mm).
(b) For unpainted members of weathering steel subject to atmospheric corrosion, the spacing shall not exceed 14 times the thickness of the thinner plate or 7 in. (180 mm)."
The second clause is very similar to the provisions in Table 3.3 of EN 1993-1-8 where the maximum fastener spacing for exposed steel is 14t or 200 mm/180 mm depending on the type of steel you're using. However, am I reading the first clause correctly and that the absolute maximum spacing is 12 in (305 mm) for unexposed steel? If that's the case, why does AISC have such a limit for unexposed steel while the Eurocode doesn't impose any limit on the maximum spacing of fasteners in unexposed environments?
Thanks.
