AISC 325-17AW Table 1-7A Workable Gages in Angle Legs. An Aerospace Engineer asks.

[MCRodg]

AISC 325-17AW Steel Construction Manual Table 1-7A Workable Gages in Angle Legs shows fastener spacings for structural angles. I understand that this "Workable Gage" refers to the transverse center-to-center spacing of fasteners that will "work" so as to meet edge distance and space requirements and wrench clearances.

Us Aerospace Engineers base such spacing on the diameter of the hole for the fastener. Such as 2xDia edge distance for metalic parts and 3xDia edge distance for composite parts. Spacing is 3D between fasteners parrallel to the load and 5D perpendicular to the load, etc. etc.

So why is there no mention of hole diameter in AISC 325-17AW with regard to the "Workable Gage" table 1-7A? Is it in there and I just haven't found it? AISC 325-17AW is a massive document.
What hole size are they basing that gauge distance on?

 

[JStephen]

Hole sizes, spacing, allowable loading are covered in the steel specification in Chapter J.

https://www.aisc.org/globalassets/aisc/publications/standards/a360-16-spec-and-commentary.pdf

 

[WinelandV]

The workable gage is more of a "here's the transverse spacing that has been used historically for this shape".

You should still check your edge distances with Table J3.4 (AISC 360). Note footnote [a], however, that permits lesser edge distances provided that all the J3.10 and j4 provisions check out.

In the steel construction manual, Table 1-1 (W-Shapes), footnote [g] states "The actual size, combination and orientation of fastener components should be compared with the geometry of the cross section to ensure compatibility."

Long story short - in structural bolting you're allowed to do pretty much whatever you want with edge distances provided
1) Strong enough
2) Actually fits

Please note that is a "v" (as in Violin) not a "y".