Joining Steel Members

Question 1

What are the three primary methods of joining steel members?

Answer 1

• rivets
• bolts
• welds

Question 2

What is the first step of riveting?

Answer 2

while-hot fastener is inserted through holes in members to be fastened

Question 3

What is the second step of riveting?

Answer 3

fastener is hammered to produce a head on the plain end

Question 4

What is the final step of riveting?

Answer 4

as the metal cools, it contracts, and tightly clamps the steel members

Question 5

Where is riveting typically found?

Answer 5

mostly found in historic structures

Question 6

Is riveting used in modern construction?

Answer 6

rarely

Question 7

What are the characteristics of carbon steel bolts? (3)

Answer 7

• relatively low strength
• limited uses, such as fastening light framing elements or holding temporary connections
• also called common, or unfinished bolts

Question 8

What are the characteristics of high-strength bolts? (2)

Answer 8

• stronger than common bolts

- used for fastening primary structural members

Question 9

What is a bearing-type connection?

Answer 9

bolts need only be installed to ‘snug tight’ condition

Question 10

What is a slip-critical type connection?

Answer 10

bolts are tightened to such an extent that the friction between steel members resists movement

Question 11

How do bearing-type connections resist movement?

Answer 11

body of bolt resists movement between connected members by bearing directly against sides of bolt holes

Question 12

How are bearing-type connections stressed?

Answer 12

bolt is stressed in shear

Question 13

How do bearing-type connections reach full strength?

Answer 13

connection will slip before it reaches full strength

Question 14

How do slip-critical connections resist movement?

Answer 14

bolt is tensioned to such an extent that movement in the joint is resisted by friction between the adjoining surfaces of the steel members

Question 15

How are slip-critical connections stressed?

Answer 15

bolt is very highly stressed, but not in tension

Question 16

Do slip-critical connections experience slippage?

Answer 16

no

Question 17

When are slip-critical connections required?

Answer 17

required where joints experience load reversals, in highly-stressed joints, or where slippage would be detrimental

Question 18

What must be assured in slip-critical connections?

Answer 18

proper bolt tension

Question 19

How tight must bolts be in slip-critical connections?

Answer 19

bolts must be tightened to at least 70% of their ultimate tensile strength

Question 20

How is the proper bolt tension verified for slip-critical connections? (4)

Answer 20

• turn-of-nut method
• load indicator washers
• calibrated wrench method
• tension control bolts

Question 21

What is the turn-of-nut method?

Answer 21

nut is tightened some additional fraction of a turn after achieving snug condition

Question 22

What are load indicator washers? (3)

Answer 22

• when bolt is adequately tensioned, protrusions on the washer are flattened
• bolt tension is verified by inserting a gauge between bolt head and washer
• some load indicator washers squirt dye when adequate tension is achieved, making inspection easier

Question 23

What is the calibrated wrench method? (2)

Answer 23

• torque wrench used to tighten bolts

- less frequently used

Question 24

What are tension control bolts? (4)

Answer 24

• requires the use of specialized tool
• when bolt is adequately tightened, the splined end snaps off
• proper bolt tension is verified by absence of spline
• this method allows tightening with access to only one side of the bolt

Question 25

What is the first step of welding?

Answer 25

steel surfaces to be joined are heated to a molten state

Question 26

What is the second step of welding?

Answer 26

additional molten metal is added from the electrode

Question 27

What is the final step of welding?

Answer 27

in finished joint, members are fully fused

Question 28

What are fillet welds?

Answer 28

easy to make, little joint preparation required

Question 29

What are groove welds?

Answer 29

require properly-shaped and spaced joints

Question 30

What are puddle welds?

Answer 30

fasten metal decking to structural members

Question 31

Why are welds inspected?

Answer 31

welds critical to structural stability are inspected/tested to ensure their soundness and freedom from hidden flaws

Question 32

What are weld symbols?

Answer 32

provides information on type of weld, size of weld, location of weld, and if weld is to be performed in the field