bridge bolt testing

By 803056

Date 04-22-2019 19:22

There are additional tests required.

Al

By Steelslinger (**)

Date 04-22-2019 20:00

I'm curious as to what additional tests are required for bolts utilized in bridges?

By SWN1158 (***)

Date 04-22-2019 20:38

One test is a rotational capacity test that's done for each bolt / nut / washer assembly lot, which verifies the presence and the effectiveness of nut lubrication, particularly on galvanized fasteners. It's also used to test the assembly’s tension strength, ductility, and the ability of the bolt to resist stripping. This test is performed in addition to the pre-installation verification testing for the installation method.

By 803056

Date 04-22-2019 20:44

Here's a link to a checklist of the tests required. Its actually an audit checklist for bolting.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/reviews/revbolt1.pdf

Al

By Steelslinger (**)

Date 04-23-2019 19:15

I am aware of the Rotational Capacity tests, and that is required under structural as well.

By 803056

Date 04-23-2019 19:34

Not usually, unless the Engineer requires it per the project specification.

Al

By ididntdoit89 (*)

Date 04-24-2019 12:34

THANKS GUYS FOR THE INFO.

By Jim Hughes (***)

Date 05-10-2019 20:11

AASHTO has some direction on bridge bolting and typically you could look at RCSC. Depending on the type and strength of bolt you are using RCSC will give you some good insight. Also, look at Turn A Sure has some good info on bridge bolting.

By jwright650 (*****)

Date 05-10-2019 23:40

Robert Shaw's bolting handbook is another good reference. It's pocket size and helps show some of these contractors who don't understand bolting and think that "tight is tight, what's the difference?"<--actual quote

By SWN1158 (***)

Date 04-24-2019 13:27

I've been in structural steel fabrication for 42 years and I have never seen a rotational capacity test required in the project specs. That's why I mentioned it. The question was, are bridge bolts tested the same as structural bolts, and in my experience, they are not.... at least not in anything I've ever dealt with.