What the Calculator Covers
This calculator compares the applied shear force with the design shear resistance of the selected bolt arrangement. You can account for several bolts and shear planes and choose whether a plane passes through the thread or the plain shank.
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
Bolt shear is only one part of a steel connection design to EN 1993. The complete review should also cover bearing, tension, slip, spacing, edge distance, plate resistance and any combined actions 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.
Practical Use
Use this calculator to compare the applied shear force with the resistance of the selected bolt arrangement. Read the result together with the other connection failure modes.
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.
Engineering content is prepared and maintained by VitraLab Engineering. Worked examples show how the current calculator treats a defined case; they do not replace project-specific verification.