L-bolt bending resistance

[nkclarke]

Hello,
I have a question concerning the capacity of L-bolts used in a slightly unconventional way.

An external wall is constructed from aerated concrete panels. The panels span horizontally across columns at suitable spacing. The panels are attached to the columns by L-bolts hooking round the flange of the column (the head of the bolt is embedded in the concrete and the "L" is sticking out.

Assumptions are that the panels are rigid and that the failure mechanism of the bolt is that the bolt "straightens" as increasing load is applied to the panel until it can no longer hook round the column flange.

My question is; how can I calculate the capacity of the bolt?

I'm thinking the following;

M = R*e where 'R' is the force transmitted to the bolt from the panel and 'e' is the eccentricity between the centre-line of the bolt and where the "L" makes contact with the column flange.

Ultimately, I want to be able to determine the value of R that will cause the bolt to "straighten". Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[jwilson33]

That sounds like a reasonable check.

If the bolt is long(?), is there a possibility that the moment in the shank of the bolt might cause it to bend out of the way? That might happen before the L straightens out.

 

[civilperson]

Perhaps deflection of a circular beam in flexure would model the L bolt.