Structural fasteners
Structural fasteners are strong, heavy-duty fasteners that are necessary for the construction of structures which include steel to steel connections. In other words, they are used when one metal structure needs to be connected to another.
The typical application of structural fasteners is in bridge and building construction, where they are used to connect metal beams and girders. To be considered for structural purposes, fasteners need to be made of quenched and tempered steel with a minimal tensile strength of 120 ksi.
Some of the most commonly used structural fasteners are:
- Heavy hex bolts. This type of bolt or cap screw comes with a hexagonal head, and is larger and thicker than standard hex bolts. A325 and A490 specifications are suitable in this application.
- Heavy hex nuts, also known as finish nuts. Heavy hex nuts are used along with bolts - both for strength and for a thick finished look.
- Flat washers. These high hardness and low-deformation plain washers, punched washers, or flat washers are used as spacers and load distributors.
- Tension control bolts. TC bolts are extremely adept at handling vibrations and preventing load reversals and they eliminate slips in connections.
The quality of structural fasteners specified is of prime importance because they will be holding together heavy and crucial structures. Therefore, they must be durable, sturdy, rust-proof and corrosion-free for several years. Using poor quality structural fasteners not only reduces the durability of the overall structure but also puts lives at risk.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Bolts.
- Civil engineer.
- Civil Engineering during the Industrial Revolution in Britain.
- Concept structural design of buildings.
- Elements of structure in buildings
- Fastener.
- Fixing.
- Nails.
- Nuts.
- Rivets.
- Substructure.
- Superstructure.
[edit] External references
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Why being a mentor can help your career.
Channel 4 broadcaster to host 125th anniversary ceremony.
Listed structures on the rail network
Heritage interests and operational requirements must be balanced.
Historic England publishes research into embodied carbon when retrofitting traditional buildings.
New Prime Minister delivers on ECA call for cut in electricity costs.
CIOB reacts to the announcement of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
Heritage and conservation science workforce survey - Have your say.
England's Suburbs 1820-2020. Book review.
New, more proportionate and targeted approach for higher-risk building assessments.
Government brings British Steel into public ownership.
UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus.
New guidance published on competence requirements for self-certification schemes.