Bearing Stress at a Bolt Hole
Bearing Stress at a Bolt Hole
A bolt presses on the side of its hole; if the bearing stress is too high the plate elongates or tears — often the governing connection check.
The bearing stress is σ_b = P/(d·t). where P is the bolt force, d the bolt diameter and t the plate thickness.
Inputs
P := 40 kN=40000 N
d := 20 mm=20 mm
t := 10 mm=10 mm
Spread the force over the projected bearing area.
sigma_b := P/(d·t)=200 MPa
Results
The bearing stress is compared with the plate’s bearing limit (a multiple of its tensile strength). A thicker plate or larger bolt reduces it.
Assumptions & limitations
- Projected (diameter × thickness) bearing area.
- One bolt considered.
- Edge distance adequate.