Hollo-Bolt Connectors - Are they OK for Primary Members? 1

[LobstaEata]

Is anyone aware of the results of a University of Toronto study having been conducted on the use of Hollo-Bolt fasteners for primary truss bridge members? I am currently designing a truss bridge for a manufactureing plant and would like to use HSS rectangular shapes for the primary truss members.

Being able to use Hollo-Bolt fasteners for connections would make life so much easier, but I have not been able to find any literature on whether they have been successfully tested for primary member use.

 

[Knighty1950]

Whilst I'm unaware of the tests you mention I suggest, if possible, you have a look at the details in the UK Steel Construction Institute Green Book Joints in Steel Construction – Simple Connections. This has a great deal of information including formulas & worked examples of structural calculations using the Hollo-Bolt.

It also shows the Hollo-Bolt capacities for when they are used in structural connections the strength of which can be calculated using the formulae also within the Green Book.

The capacities have all come from testing which was done by Lindapter, Corus (UK), Swinden Laboratories (UK), Nottingham University (UK), Trento University (Italy), Darmstadt University (Germany) and the Building Research Establishment (UK) all of which was compiled by the SCI prior to the Green Book’s publication.

I also understand the the AISC is actively considering a similar publication to the Green Book for the North American market.