8A – Solved Problem 5, Part 2: Design Shear Strength.

Last Updated on September 17, 2026 by Maged kamel

Solved problem 5, part 2, for design Shear strength.

In this Post, we will present the solution to problem 5-part 2 on design Shear strength, taken from the Unified Design of Steel Structures handbook. The problem requires developing a table showing the design Shear strength for different Bolt types and diameters, determining the design Shear strength, or applying the LRFD design method for Shear strength.

We have included the design Shear strength for A325 N and X bolts in Part 1.

The first Bolt type is A490-N, where N indicates that the threads are included in the Bolt’s Shear plane. Based on Table J3.2, the nominal Shear strength equals 68 ksi for a single Shear plane.

The Shear design limit state is 0.75.

The following slide summarizes the Post’s content and explains Practice Problems 3 and 4 in the Unified Steel Design of Steel Structures.

The following slide reminds us of the Fnv, or nominal Shear Value, for Group A-490-N and x bolts, and how we derived the Expression.

Solved problem 5, part 2, for design Shear strength for sizes 5/8″, 3/4″, and 7/8″ for A490-N type.

We start with a Bolt with a diameter of 5/8″, Type A490-N, with a nominal Shear strength of 68 ksi. We estimate the design Shear strength per inch^2 by multiplying Φ*Fnv, which is equal to (0.75*68)=51 ksi

To get the Shear strength for one Bolt, estimate the Area of the Bolt with a diameter of 5/8 inch; the Area is 0.307 in^2. We get the design Shear Value by multiplying (Φ*Fnv*A) = (0.51*0.30707 ) = 15.70 kips.

For the second Bolt with a diameter of 3/4″, Type A-490 N with a nominal Shear strength of 68 ksi. We estimate the design Shear strength per inch^2 by multiplying Φ*Fnv, which is equal to (0.75*68)=51 ksi

To get the Shear strength for one Bolt, estimate the Area of the Bolt with a diameter of 3/4 inch; the Area is 0.442 in^2. We get the design Shear Value for a 3/4-diameter Bolt type (-490 N) by multiplying (Φ*Fnv*A) = (51*0.442) = 22.50 kips.

The third Bolt has a diameter of 7/8″ and is Type A-490 N, with a nominal Shear strength of 68 ksi. We estimate the design Shear strength per inch^2 by multiplying Φ*Fnv, which equals (0.75*68) = 51 ksi.

To get the Shear strength for one Bolt, estimate the Area of the Bolt with a 7/8-inch diameter; the Area is 0.601 in^2. We get the design Shear Value for a 7/8-inch-diameter Bolt type 490N by multiplying (Φ*Fnv*A) = 51*0.601 = 30.65 kips. Please refer to the next slide for more details.

Solved problem 5-part 2 for design Shear strength for size 1″ for A490-N type.

The last Bolt has a diameter of 1 inch, Type A-490 N, with a nominal Shear strength of 68 ksi. We estimate the design Shear strength per inch^2 by multiplying Φ*Fnv, which equals (0.75*68) = 51 ksi.

To get the Shear strength for one Bolt, estimate the Area of the Bolt with a diameter of 1 inch; the Area is 0.785 in^2. We get the design Shear Value for a 1-inch-diameter Bolt type -490-N by multiplying (Φ*Fnv*A) = 51*0.785 = 40 kips. Please refer to the next slide for more details.

Please refer to the next slide for more details. I have added the Nominal Shear strength values for Problems 3 and 4 of the Unified Design of Steel Structures handbook, 3rd and 4th editions.

Solved problem 5-part 2 for design Shear strength for sizes 5/8″, 3/4″, 7/8 and 1 ” for A490-N type using Table 7-1.

To verify our estimates, we can use Table 7-1 to determine the available Shear strength of bolts. We refer to Group B type with n-type. We use a 5/8-inch diameter single Shear (S). We find that the design Shear strength for the Bolt is 15.70 kips.

We use a 5/8-inch diameter single Shear (S). We find that the design Shear strength for the Bolt is 22.50 kips.

We use a 7/8-inch diameter Bolt with single Shear, termed S. We find the design Shear strength is 30.70 kips.

For the 1-inch diameter Bolt with single Shear, termed S, the design Shear strength is 40 kips. The previous values match our calculations. Please refer to the image on the next slide.

Solved problem 5-part 2 for design Shear strength for sizes 5/8″, 3/4″, and 7/8 ” for A490-X type.

The second Bolt type is A490-X, where X indicates that the threads are not in the Bolt’s shear plane.

Based on Table J3.2, the nominal Shear strength is equal to 84 ksi for a single Shear plane. The Shear design limit state is 0.75.

We start with a Bolt with a diameter of 5/8″ Type A-490 X with a nominal Shear strength of 84 ksi. We estimate the design Shear strength per inch^2 by multiplying Φ*Fnv, which is equal to (0.75*84)=63 ksi

To get the Shear strength for one Bolt, estimate the Area of a 5/8-inch Bolt; the Area is 0.307 in^2. We calculate the design Shear Value by multiplying (Φ*Fnv*A) = (63*0.307) = 19.34 kips.

For the second Bolt with a diameter of 3/4″, Type A-, to get the Shear strength for one Bolt, estimate the Area of the Bolt with a diameter of 3/4 inch; the Area is equal to 0.442 inch2.

We get the design Shear Value for a 3/4-diameter Bolt type -490 X by multiplying (Φ*Fnv*A) = 63 x 0.442 = 27.80 kips.

To get the Shear strength for one Bolt, estimate the Area of the Bolt with a diameter of 7/8 inch; the Area is 0.601 in^2. We get the design Shear Value for a 7/8-diameter Bolt type -490 X by multiplying (Φ*Fnv*A) = (63*0.601) = 37.87 kips.

Solved problem 5-part 2 for design Shear strength for size 1″ for A490-X type.

The last Bolt has a diameter of 1 inch, Type A-490 X, with a nominal Shear strength of 84 ksi. We estimate the design Shear strength per inch^2 by multiplying Φ*Fnv, which is equal to (0.75*84=63 ksi.

To estimate the Shear strength for one Bolt, use a 1-inch-diameter Bolt; the Area is 0.785 in^2. We get the design Shear Value for a 1-inch-diameter Bolt, type A-490 X, by multiplying (Φ*Fnv*A) = 63*0.785 = 49.50 kips. Please refer to the next slide for more details.

Solved problem 5-part 2 for design Shear strength for sizes 5/8″, 3/4″, 7/8 and 1 ” for A490-X type using Table 7-1.

To verify our estimates, we can use Table 7-1 to determine the available Shear strength of bolts. We refer to Group B as X-type. We use a 5/8-inch diameter Bolt in single Shear, termed S. We find the design Shear strength for the Bolt is 15.70 kips. We repeat the same steps for the other diameters: 3/4″, 7/8 inch, and 1″. All the values match our previous calculations.

Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you in the next Post.

You can view or download the PDF for this Post from the following Link.

This link goes to the previous post: solved problem 5-part-1.

This is a very useful source for designing various Steel elements: A Beginner’s Guide to the Steel Construction Manual, 15^th ed., Chapter 4 – Bolted Connections.

This is a very useful source: Designing Various Steel Elements: A Beginner’s Guide to the Steel Construction Manual, 16th ed., Chapter 4 – Bolted Connections.