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Bolt Prying Action Calculator

Checks a tee-type bolted tension connection for prying action. From the bolt layout, flange geometry and factored load it finds the flange thickness needed to limit prying and the thickness to ignore it, then checks the connection capacity, the bolt tension including prying, and the web.

By Arun Kishore, P.Eng. Updated

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Code references

  • CSA S16 Cl. 13.12.1.3: bolt tensile resistance, shared with the Bolt Capacity tool

Inputs and outputs

Inputs and outputs of the Bolt Prying Action tool
InputsBolt tensile strength Fub (MPa) and diameter d (mm)
Number of bolts, n
Bolt gauge g and pitch p (mm)
Web thickness, w (mm)
Flange width b0 and thickness t (mm)
Length of the member, L (mm)
Member yield strength, Fy (MPa)
Factored axial load, Pf (kN)
OutputsMinimum flange thickness, and minimum thickness to disregard prying
Bolt tensile resistance
Connection capacity and utilization
Bolt force including prying, and bolt utilization
Web capacity and utilization

Worked example

Worked example coming soon.

Limitations and assumptions

  • φ = 0.9 for the flange and web. The bolt hole is taken as d + 2 mm.
  • The web check is yielding of the gross web over the member length, φ L w Fy.
  • The app does not cite a code clause for the prying model itself.

These calculators are aids, not a substitute for engineering judgment. Check results independently and against the governing code edition before relying on them.

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Notes on engineering automation

Occasional notes on the tools I build and how I build them.