5187901TechArticleWebDocLR PDF
5187901TechArticleWebDocLR PDF
5187901TechArticleWebDocLR PDF
faying surfaces
for slip-resistant
bolted connections
Although the two test standards are similar, it is not The validity of the test results according to other codes or
possible to make a one-to-one comparison between them. standards must be decided by the specifier. Kulak et al.iii
Even if the slip factor has been determined using one test may be a useful reference for comparing results obtained
standard, one cannot immediately transfer the result to by other standards.
another standard.
The terminology of the two standardised methods reflects
However, E. Maiorana and Carlo Pellegrino present a iv civil engineering terminology more than the terminology of
numerical example to compare various code provisions – coating engineering.
from Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and
Japan – to show their performance for a practical case.
Purpose of testing
Testing is carried out to ascertain whether a coating system The equivalent figures in the RCSC specification are:
can be considered a Class B type of surface treatment of
Table 2
faying surfaces (as per Table 18 of EN 1090-2v).
Slip
Surface treatment Class
Table 1 factor (μ)
2
Coating of fraying surfaces for slip-resistant bolted connections
S355 J2+N
steel
3
Coating of fraying surfaces for slip-resistant bolted connections
Figure 3. Example of bolt strain gauge glued inside the bolt before stressingvii
Figure. 4. Record from Test 1. The slip load at 0.15 mm slip is shown for The characteristic value is taken as the mean value minus
each clip gauge 2.05 times the standard deviation according to Clause G.4.vi
In this test, the characteristic value is:
μ = 0.512-2.05∙0.022 = 0.46
4
Coating of fraying surfaces for slip-resistant bolted connections
0.100
y = 0.009In(x) + 0.1855
R2 = 0.999
0.050
y = 0.0095In(x) + 0.1713
R2 = 0.9989
0.000
1.00E-04 1.00E-03 1.00E-02 1.00E-01 1.00E+00 1.00E+01 1.00E+02 16.5 hours ˜ 1.88 . 10-3 year
Time (years)
5
Coating of fraying surfaces for slip-resistant bolted connections
Conclusion
This particular test report concludes: Other coating types than zinc silicate for slip-resistant
• the mean slip factor value (μm) is 0.51 connections
• the characteristic value of the slip factor (μ) is 0.46 Inorganic coatings, such as zinc silicates, are often
• the slip factor is tested with a small coefficient considered more difficult to apply than organic coatings,
variation of 4.2. This indicates a uniform friction such as zinc epoxies.
surface characteristic
• one slip surface failed the delayed slip limit of A number of papers discuss the properties of zinc epoxy
0.002 mm, while the other surface showed a slip value coatings in comparison with zinc silicates.
ten times lower than the required limit of 0.002 mm,
namely 0.0002 mm Kulak xi writes: “Use of inorganic zinc-rich paints for coating
• all of the extended creep slips are significantly lower provides better slip resistance than when organic zinc-rich
than the creep limit of 0.30 over the 120-year design life paints are used. When zinc silicate paint has been used with
a clear lacquer (water-glass) as a binding agent and zinc dust
The characteristic slip factor of 0.46 is 15 percent higher powder as the pigment, high slip resistance has resulted.
than the required slip factor of 0.40 for friction Class B. The increased hardness of the zinc silicate coating provides
a more slip-resistant surface than surfaces treated with
The nominal slip factor of the system is 0.40, corresponding organic zinc-rich paints. For optimum results, these paints are
to the load used for the extended creep test. This means generally applied to blast-cleaned surfaces by either spraying
that the tested system can be classified as a surface friction or brushing”.
Class B system according to Table 18 of EN 1090-2:2008
(see Table 1 above). Kulak concludes that when slip-resistant joints are subjected
to sustained loading conditions, only surface treatments that
The test was carried out using property Class 10.9 bolts. provide adequate slip resistance under long-term loading
This means that the slip factor according to EN 1090-2 may should be used. Metallising with either zinc or aluminium,
also be used for property Class 8.8 boltsx. or a zinc silicate coating or a vinyl coating should be used.
Hot-dip galvanising and organic zinc-rich coating systems are
Notes on specification of coating systems for slip-resistant not satisfactory for slip-resistant joints. (Kulak’s inclusion
bolted connections of vinyl coatings seems incorrect, unless it covers the very
When specifying coating systems for slip-resistant bolted thin zinc chromate polyvinyl butyrate used for temporary
joints, it is important to adhere to the requirements of the protection).
test standard.
A. Cruz et alxii is a more recent source than Kulak.
Accordingly, the fulfilment of the Essential Variables in Their experimental work includes spray metallised zinc,
RSCS Specification, A1.2 and EN-1090-2, Clause G.2vi hot-dip galvanising, zinc ethyl silicate and zinc epoxy.
must be met:
Their conclusions are:
• the coating composition corresponds to the tested
• slip factors with values of 0.50 are only obtained
product/shade
with blasted surfaces, without any additional
• the surface preparation must be the same as used for
surface treatment
the test
• in blasted surfaces, spray metallised with zinc or
• a nominal dry film thickness should be specified for
hot-dip galvanised, the slip factor easily reaches values
the test. It must meet the requirement of Clause G.3,
above 0.40
which states that the dry film thickness tested must be
• blasted surfaces with a painted coating of zinc
at least 25 percent thicker than the nominal thickness
ethyl-silicate obtained a characteristic value of 0.40,
specified for use in structures. According to RCSC
but with only a small margin
Appendix A2.2, the specimens should be coated to
• for blasted surfaces with a painted coating of zinc epoxy,
an average thickness that is 2 mils greater than the
the lowest slip factor values (not higher than 0.30) were
maximum thickness to be used in the structure on both
obtained. The higher value was obtained for a zinc epoxy
of the plate surfaces (the faying and outer surfaces)
coating with a dry film thickness of 70 µm, while the lower
• the curing procedure must follow the application
slip factor of 0.20 was obtained at the higher dry film
instructions for the given coating system
thickness of 135 µm
• the minimum time interval between application of
the coating and application of the load to the bolted
connection should be the minimum curing time as
outlined by the application instructions. (Applications
instructions describes appropriate methods for
accelerating curing and controlling curing conditions)
6
Coating of faying surfaces for slip-resistant bolted connections
In 1984, Technical Committee 10 of the European One additional factor that is not considered when
Convention for Constructional Steelwork issued the report testing epoxy-based coatings is the change connected to
Slip factors of connection with H. S. F. G. bolts, (ECCS temperature-dependent coating properties. One important
Publication No. 37xiii). The report’s conclusion on zinc epoxy temperature dependent is the glass transition temperature
coatings is that a slip factor for sustained loading is around (TG) of the coating. At temperatures above TG, the organic
0.20-0.22 for dry film thicknesses between 10-25 µm and binder changes from brittle to thermoplastic. This must mean
increases with dry film thicknesses up to 40 µm. (Higher dry the slip factor lowers compared to the slip factor at ambient
film thicknesses were not investigated). temperatures. Many epoxy coatings have a TG around
50-60°C. Such temperatures are easily reached on
Looking at the above references, it is clear that zinc silicate sun-exposed structures. If zinc epoxy coatings are seriously
coatings applied in dry film thicknesses of approximately considered for protecting slip joints, testing must also be
50 µm have a higher slip factor than zinc epoxy coatings. carried out at higher temperatures.
References
EN 1090-2:2008i Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures – Part 2: Technical requirements for
i
steel structures.
ii Specification for Structural Joints using High-Strength Bolts. Research Council on Structural Connection (RCSC),
Chicago 2014 (Includes 2015 Errata).
iii Kulak, G L, Fisher, J W, Struik, J H A: Guide to Design Criteria for Bolted and Riveted Joints. 2nd Ed. AISC, Chicago. 2001.
Page 20
iv Maiorana, E and Pellegrino, C: Comparison between Eurocodes and North American and Main International Codes
for Design of Bolted Connection in Steel Bridges. J. Bridge Eng., 2013, 18(12): 1298-1308
v EN 1090-2:2008, clause 8.4: Preparation of contact surfaces in slip resistant connections
vi EN 1090-2:2008, Annex G: Test to determine slip factor
vii http://www.tml.jp/e/product/strain_gauge/catalog_pdf/BTMseries.pdf
viii FORCE Technology, private communication
ix EN 1090-2:2008, Annex G, clause G.5: Extended creep test procedure and evaluation
x EN 1090-2:2008, Annex G, clause G.6: Test results
xi Kulak, G L, Fisher, J W, Struik, J H A: Guide to Design Criteria for Bolted and Riveted Joints. 2nd Ed. AISC, Chicago.
2001, Chapter 12, pages 197-216
xii Cruz, A, Simoes, R and Alves, R: Slip factor in slip resistant joints with high strength steel. Journal of Constructional
Steel Research. Elsevier 2011
xiii ECCS, Slip factors of connection with H. S. F. G. bolts, ECCS Publication No. 37, 1984
V1_JAN_18