Bolt shearing

=Overview= Collection of resources to understand how grade of bolts relates to shear strength

=Simple Bolt Strength= Bolt Grade Chart - This page shows the tensile strength of different bolt grades for both Imperial and Metric.

Shear Strength Analysis - Resource for calculations used here

Although no official shear strength values are calculated, the common acceptance is that the ultimate shear strength of a bolt is approximately 60% of the minimum ultimate tensile strength.

=Simple Example Calculation= Comparison between a 3/4" Grade 2, Grade 5 and Grade 8 bolt.

To get the shear loading force you take the calculated shear strength and multiply it by the cross-sectional area of the fastener

Cross-Sectional Area of 3/4" Bolt
A = pi * r^2 A = pi * (0.75^2) A = 1.767in^2

Shear Capability
Capability in shear = Shear strength (pounds/in^2) * Cross sectional Area (in^2)

=Advanced Analysis= Situation specific analysis is required for actual meaningful data. Additional information on this can be found in the Machinery's Handbook under Working Strength of Bolts.