Unused bolt holes 1

[novembertango88]

Is it good practice to fill any unused drill holes in a member? Do you simply fill with weld and grind back flush?

I'm thinking low risk areas: flanges where there's no moment, web where there's low shear etc.

 

[phamENG]

Unless it's AESS, I'm not sure why you would. But then, I'm also not sure why you'd have unused bolt holes?

(I suppose weld access holes...maybe holes for lifting points?...what reasons are you running into?)

 

[jayrod12]

We indicate that any abandoned/unused holes in compression flanges are either plug welded or filled with a matching bolt to the hole size.

In tension flanges, we've already accounted for the lost area, so there's really no concern there.

 

[bridgebuster]

Typically I fill open holes - bridge work. Many years ago, I had a squad leader who said if a lay person sees an open hole they'll think there's a problem.

 

[canwesteng]

If a structural inspector sees open holes, they'll think it's a problem too

 

[drawoh]

If I see open holes I'll think there is a problem.

--
JHG

 

[BAretired]

If I see a bolt through a plate with nothing attached, I'll think there's a problem.

BA

 

[dhengr]

After years and years, I’ve got a bucket full of unused bolt holes. I save them, you never know when you will need one, and you’re out in the field without a drill motor or the proper size drill bit, or a mag. drill outfit. Plus the fact that if you are careful about how you save and collect them, by bolt size and length, etc., you can reuse them anyplace you want them, not some dumb-assed place that the EOR thought they were actually needed. Of course, some EOR are dumb enough to put them in inaccessible locations etc., and those are worth even more, on the open market, because you can put them in really crazy places.

 

[FLCraneBuilder]

We put them in intentionally at times...
in the web of beams - on center of gravity - to assist with finding center of section - and leave it it unfilled... assists with finding center 6 or so times during its history it's.

as far as filling holes that are errors, it depends on the quality of workmanship the owner expects...
or paid for.... and are there any downsides other than perception

 

[Ron247]

For mill steel components I would agree. A hole without a bolt is more likely a problem than not and it will definitely make more than 50% of the people think it is when it may not be. The odd thing about putting a bolt in the hole with nothing attaching, is that there is another group of us that would go, "Wow someone forgot to attach whatever was supposed to go there, they got the bolt right though.". Kind of like running a complex weld for 12" along the center of a plate with nothing attaching to it.

Pre-engineered metal buildings may not be the same, especially cold-formed. Most cold-formed PEMB manufacturers have standard punching they use on eave struts, purlins, girts etc. Some of them look like Swiss cheese. They punch each one for multiple possible scenarios. One example is web holes for weak axis bracing in multiple locations when one or none is used on a particular job.

I guess I should apologize to the Swiss readers for defaming their cheese, I meant to say 'cheese with holes in it made in a country where you can see the Alps while drinking your "local" chocolate".

dhengr-I use to save unused bolt holes but you will learn when you start using them, thermal expansion can make them out of tolerance. In other words, don't use unused bolt holes from Alaska in Arizona. The Contractors still poke fun at me for that one. They nicknamed me "Lefty Loosey and Righty Loosey."