PN et ren PA eer ects shop fbrication, field erection, and inspection of the work. Bridges—in the great msjority of eases, it will be requited that the joints not slip under the action of the repetitive load that is present in all bridges. In the terminology of the RCSC Specification, this means that the joints must be designated as sip-critieal The AASHTO Specilfcation permits bearing-npe connections only for joints on bracing members and for joints subjected To axial compression. It is likely that’ most bridge documents will require slip-critieal jones throughout inthe interest of uniformity Buildings —The requirements Jor buildings allow amore latitude in the selection of batt instllation, It isnot ‘usual for @ building to have moving loads, and wind and carthquake forces are not considered to result in fatigue, Consequently, the need for pretensioned and slip-eritical bolts is not as frequent in buildings as i is for bridges. “Thete ate three conditions for bolted conncctions that can be used in buildings. For economy and proper function, iis important thatthe correct one be spectfie. + Connections using Smug-Tightened Bilis Noither the shear strength of a high-strength bolt nor the bearing capacity of the connected material are aliected by the level of bolt pretension, Likewise, the teasile capacity iS unaffected by bolt pretension unless loads that might cause fatigue are present {These items are discussed in Chapter 4.) Hence, the majority of bolted connections in buildings need only use smug-iightened bolts ie. the bolts are installed using the full effort of an itonworker with a spud wrench, This is the most economical way of making bolted connections in buildings because m0. ‘compressed air or attendant equipment is needed, ‘washers may not be required, and inspection is simple, Connections using Pretensioned Bolts For buildings, only in cerlain eases is it required that the bolts be installed so as to attain a specified rminimum pretension, These are enumersted in the RCSC Specification and they include (a) joints that ‘are sulsject to significant load reversal, (b) joints ‘subject lo fatigue, (c) joins that are subject to tensile fatigue (A325 and FIS52 bolts), and (d) joints that use A490 bolts subject to tension of combined tension and shear, with oF without fatigue, The AISC LRFD Specification requires pretensioned alts for some joints in buildings of considerable height or Ik is obvious that the bolt installation costs and inspection for joints requiring pretensioned bolts will bbe higher than if the bolts need only bs snug- tightened. + Slip-Critisal Connestions AAs described earlier, this typs of connection is used mainly in bridges, where fatigue is 2 consideration. Im buildings, wind is not comsidered t0 be a fatigue phenomena, However, if oversize holes or slotted holes that run parallel ta the ditection of the memiser forees are used, slip-critical connections are required in buildings. The RCSC Specification docs stipulste that slip-ritical connections be used when "slip atthe faying surfaces would be detrimental tthe performance of the structure." This is generally inmerpreted to inshide the joints in lateral bracing, systems. Its important to note also thit conmections that must resist seismic forces need to receive special IW slip-ritical comnestions are used unnecessarily jn buildings, highcr installation and inspection costs will result 3a Inspection of Inst 3A General Inspeetion of the installation of any fabricated stl component is impurtant for several reasons, [1 ig sell evident that the integrity of the component must be assured by the inspection process. At the same time, the inspection must be done at level that is eonsistent with the function of the element under examination and an understanding of its behavior. For example, if the inspection agency thinks Cincorrestly) that bolt pretensions are subject to a maximum value as well a¢ a minimum value, this will lead to a dispute wit the steel ‘rector and an unnecessary economic burden, Tn sum, then, the level of inspection must be consistent with the need to examine the suitability of the eomponent to fulfill its intended function, but it must not be excessive in order ‘thatthe economical construction ofthe job is not affected. In the case of high-strength bolts, the first stop must be an understanding of the flinction of the fastener im the joins, If bolt pretension is not required, shen the inspection process should mat include examination for this feature This scems self-evident, but experience as proven that inspection far bolt pretension sill goes on in cases where bolt pretension i, in Fat, not requited ‘The most important fearures in the inspection of installation of high-strength bolts are + To know whether bolt pretension is required or nol If bolt pretension is not required, do not inspect for To know what pre-installaion verification is required and (0 monitor it at the jab site on a regular basis, ‘To observe the work in progress on a regular basis.