Grade 5 bolts vs A307

[lsmfse]

Structural steel inspector noted that steel fabricator installed Grade 5 bolts in leiu of A307 as specified. Connections are simple framed beam connections for floor beams. Does anyone have an opinion as to any inherent problems with this?

 

[evelrod]

There are certainly cases where one would NOT want to put in a higher grade fastener, but , generally , it is not a problem. A307 is basically an ungraded bolt and A325 is grade 5 or so. I don't see a problem. I have done this sort of thing many times. One thing, which has happened to me,---the inspector may require you to torque the A325 bolts whereas the A307's do not require a specified torque (the somewhat ambiguous pull on a wrench by an average man???). This does not hurt the job quality, just the $bottom line$.


Rod