Specs of Welding High Tensile Bolts

FACT SHEET
Specification and Welding High

Tensile Bolts
by John Woodside, F.I.E.Aust, F.A.S.C.E, Typical bolt sizes used in precast concrete
M.I.C.E, M.I.Struc.E are:
Bolts are a very important design issue in • M16 for lightly loaded connections;
precast concrete and are often not well
understood or well specified by design • M20 for general structural connections;
engineers. In recent years, it has become
customary for engineers to specify grade
• M24 for heavier structural connections;
8.8 bolts for precast when in fact, they
and
should only be used where appropriate.
• M28 and above for special structural

Two main types of metric bolt are used
connections but the use of such bolts
in structural engineering and precast
will need careful assessment.
connections in Australia. They are:
Compliance with Australian Standards

• Commercial bolts to AS1111, strength
grade 4.6; and
Most bolts used in Australia are now
imported. Concerns have also been raised
• High strength structural bolts to AS1252,
that some batches of bolts, imported
strength grade 8.8.
from overseas or from an unknown
source of supply, do not comply with
Commercial bolts are made of low carbon the relevant Australian Standards where
steel with mechanical properties similar to the design has relied upon compliance
Grade 250 steel plate. They can be welded with these Standards. Either these bolts
as for Grade 250 steel. High strength bolts are not accompanied by any evidence
are made by heat treating, quenching and of compliance with the requirements
tempering medium carbon steel. Heating or
welding can cause significant degradation
of their mechanical properties and even
failure.
making precast easy

FACT SHEET
that apply in Australia or the supporting Engineers must adequately specify the
documentation is inadequate. In addition, bolts to be used in the connection and
concerns have been raised that some erection of precast concrete, including the
imported products may be stamped as appropriate referenced Standards with
complying, yet may not comply. which the bolts and their associated nuts
and washers must comply;
• Suppliers need to source bolts that

comply with relevant Australian
Standards. Bolts are called up in AS4100
which in turn is called up in the BCA.
Also look for bolt suppliers who are ISO
9001 certified.
• Delivery dockets should have a clear

reference to relevant Australian
Standards;
• Suppliers should provide a copy of the

evidence of compliance to purchasers
and end users on request;
“We have seen projects where the grade • End users of bolts such as builders,
8.8 bolts were specified to be tack welded erectors or precasters should request
and they all had to be cut out at a very evidence of compliance with relevant
significant cost and replaced with grade Standards from their bolt supplier
4.6 bolts which can be welded. In another and ensure they comply with the
example, M36 8.8 grade bolts were tack specification and drawings;
welded in a cage prior to casting into a • The relevant building surveyor may
structural column and failed when tapped request a copy of that evidence,
with a hammer at the time of erection. “ - or request that the person issuing
John Woodside certification provide specific verification
that the structural bolts (and their
associated nuts and washers) used
Compliance with the Building Code of
comply with the relevant standards
Australia
(structural bolts are those bolts used in
the structure as opposed to bolts that
It is a requirement under the Building may be used in architectural elements or
Regulations that all building work be carried building services).
out in accordance with the Building Code of
Australia (BCA) and this includes structural
bolts in precast concrete.
To achieve compliance with the BCA

requirements the following actions should
be taken:
making precast easy

FACT SHEET
Summary
If any welding is required, including

welding of the structural washer, then grade
4.6 bolts should be used. Where bolts
are fixed into cast-in ferrules in precast,
the ferrules will almost certainly be grade
250-300 so a Grade 8.8 bolt is no stronger
than a Grade 4.6 bolt in tension. More
importantly, welding (including positional or
tack welds) of any high strength structural
bolt, nut or washer will almost certainly
result in brittle fracture and failure unless
very specific welding techniques are used.
References
ASI Connections Design Guide 1 Bolting

1st Ed T.J. Hogan and S.A. Munter 2007
ASI TechNote #1-06, High strength bolt

assemblies, Certification to AS/NZS 1252-
1996…..Reject or Accept? S.A. Munter
making precast easy

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FACT SHEET

Specification and Welding High

• M28 and above for special structural

Compliance with Australian Standards

making precast easy

• Suppliers need to source bolts that

• Delivery dockets should have a clear

• Suppliers should provide a copy of the

To achieve compliance with the BCA

making precast easy

If any welding is required, including

ASI Connections Design Guide 1 Bolting

ASI TechNote #1-06, High strength bolt

making precast easy

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