What the Calculator Covers
This calculator compares the force at a bolt hole with the local bearing resistance of the steel plate or connected member. Hole geometry, plate thickness, material strength, and bolt position all affect the result.
Typical Inputs
Common inputs include the applied bearing force, bolt diameter, hole diameter, plate thickness, steel material strength, end distance, edge distance, and whether the check is for a single bolt or an edge condition.
EN 1993 Steel Connection Context
Bolt bearing does not by itself establish the capacity of a steel connection. The EN 1993 review should also cover bolt shear and tension, spacing, edge distance, plate resistance, net section, block tearing and relevant combined actions.
Hole Geometry and Bolt Position
Bearing resistance can change with hole size, end distance, edge distance, slotted holes, and the actual bolt position in the joint. The selected inputs should match the physical connection detail and drawing dimensions.
Result Review
The engineering tool reports resistance, utilization, warnings, and pass/fail status so the steel bearing check can be reviewed clearly. The output is for preliminary engineering review and should not replace a full connection design by a qualified engineer.
Steel and Aluminium Difference
Bolt bearing in steel and bolt bearing in aluminium may look similar as a connection check, but the design basis is different. Steel bearing is reviewed with EN 1993 assumptions, while aluminium bearing is reviewed with EN 1999 assumptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bolt bearing check in steel?
A bolt bearing check in steel reviews whether the steel material around a bolt hole has enough local bearing resistance for the applied force.
What inputs are usually needed for steel bolt bearing resistance?
Typical inputs include bolt diameter, hole diameter, applied force, plate thickness, steel material strength, end distance, edge distance, and the relevant connection condition.
Is bolt bearing the same as bolt shear?
No. Bolt bearing checks the local resistance of the connected material around the hole, while bolt shear checks the shear resistance of the bolt itself.
Is steel bolt bearing checked the same way as aluminium bolt bearing?
No. The engineering idea is similar, but steel bearing is normally reviewed with EN 1993 assumptions, while aluminium bearing is reviewed with EN 1999 assumptions.
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.