Specifications for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts

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• The previously separate LRFD and ASD versions of this Specification have been unified, with LRFD as the basis in the main body and ASD as an alternative in Appendix B
• A Symbols (nomenclature) section has been added.
• A Glossary section has been added.
• An Index section has been added.
• Commentary information has been placed immediately following its corresponding Specification provision to provide convenient reference to background and further explanation.
• A summary of the drawing information and approvals required from the Engineer of Record has been added in Section 1.4.
• Explicit coverage of material and geometric requirements for washer-type indicating devices, twist-off-type tension-control bolt assemblies and alternative design fasteners has been added in Sections 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8, respectively.
• Provisions allowing the thermal cutting of bolt holes with the approval of the Engineer of Record have been added in Section 3.3.
• Requirements for the treatment of burrs have been clarified and expanded in Section 3.4.
• New information has been added in Section 4 to address the applicability and suitability of the various joint types: snug-tightened joints, pretensioned joints and slip-critical joints. The requirements in this Section also serve to identify the applicable design, installation and inspection requirements for each of the joint types.
• Requirements have been added to Section 5.1 to address the design implications of the presence of fillers or shims.
• In Section 5.5, the limitation on prying force for applications that involve tensile fatigue has been reduced from 60 percent of the total applied load to 30 percent.
• Washer requirements have been simplified and clarified in Section 6.
• Provisions for pre-installation verification of fastener assemblies have been clarified in Section 7, as invoked in Section 8.2 for pretensioned joints and slip-critical joints.
• Installation requirements have been simplified and clarified significantly in Section 8.
• Inspection requirements in Section 9 have been significantly expanded to clarify the intent and applicability.
• Arbitration provisions to be used in the case of a dispute have been clarified in Section 10.

In addition, many other changes have been made throughout this Specification.

By the Research Council on Structural Connections