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Bolt Shear Calculator

Use the VitraLab bolt shear calculator page to review bolt shear resistance for steel connection checks and then open the focused engineering tool for calculation input.

What This Bolt Shear Calculator Helps Check

The bolt shear calculator supports focused review of a steel bolt loaded in shear. It is intended for quick engineering checks where the bolt grade, diameter, number of shear planes, and selected shear area need to be assessed before carrying the result into a wider connection design.

Typical Inputs

Common inputs include the applied shear force, number of bolts, number of shear planes, bolt diameter, bolt grade or ultimate strength, and whether the shear plane passes through the threaded or unthreaded part of the bolt.

EN 1993 Steel Connection Context

Steel bolt shear checks are normally reviewed as part of an EN 1993 connection design workflow. The result should be considered alongside bearing, tension, slip, spacing, edge distance, plate resistance, and any combined-action checks required by the project.

Threaded and Unthreaded Shear Area

A bolt shear check can change depending on whether the shear plane passes through the threaded portion or the plain shank. The selected area should match the physical connection detail and the bolt position in the joint.

Result Review

The engineering tool reports resistance, utilization, and pass/fail status so the bolt shear check can be reviewed clearly. The output is for preliminary engineering review and should not replace a full connection design by a qualified engineer.

When to Use This Page

Use this page when looking for a bolt shear calculator, bolt shear resistance check, EN 1993 bolt shear workflow, or a quick way to review bolt shear capacity in a steel connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bolt shear check?

A bolt shear check reviews whether a bolt has enough shear resistance for the applied force across one or more shear planes in a connection.

What inputs are usually needed for bolt shear resistance?

Typical inputs include bolt diameter, bolt grade or ultimate strength, number of bolts, number of shear planes, and whether the threaded or unthreaded area is used.

Does the thread position matter for bolt shear?

Yes. If the shear plane passes through the threaded portion, the tensile stress area may govern. If the shear plane passes through the shank, the gross shank area may be used depending on the design basis.

Is bolt shear the only check needed for a steel connection?

No. Bolt shear is only one component check. Bearing, tension, spacing, edge distance, plate resistance, combined actions, and project detailing may also need to be reviewed.