In heavy construction, special types of heavy duty fasteners are needed to hold structures together. Originally, rivets were the preferred fasteners in the construction industry, but the development of hex-head bolts offered faster installation with fewer bolts than rivets.

Hex-head bolts then became standard. More recently, tension control bolts have overtaken hex-head bolts in popularity because they are even faster to install. Consequently, tc bolts are the most widely used bolting system in the construction industry today.

Types Of Bolts

There are two main types of bolts that are tension controlled: A490 and A325 tension control bolts. The former is not galvanized, making them more suitable for indoor use, while the latter has a protective coating that makes them resistant to any damage from exposure to the elements.

Both are made with a heavy hex-shaped head and come with a washer and nut assembly. In addition, both types of bolts perform at their best at a temperature between 40 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Advantages Of The Tension Control System

There are several significant advantages to using this type of bolt system. For one thing, the bolts require only a single operator and a single-sided installation.

In addition, because relatively few bolts are needed, they are cost-effective compared with other fastening systems. Finally, the tools for installation are lightweight and reliable. The tool guarantees that the correct tension is applied regardless of the user's ability.

Method Of Installation

Installation is a relatively quick and easy process. The installer places the bolt into the point of connection and then attaches the socket of the installation tool to the outside of the bolt head. He or she then pulls a trigger to twist the bolt.

The tool automatically tightens the bolt to the correct tension and then shears off the bolt head. The installer just needs to remove the socket and catch the sheared-off head. Because the process is automatic, it is immune to user error.

Purchasing Quality Bolts

When purchasing bolts for use in heavy construction, it's important to find a reliable manufacturer with experience in the industry. A manufacturer should perform quality control testing to ascertain that each component of a bolting system meets tolerance requirements and quality standards.

A reliable type of testing involves using calibrated tension-reading equipment to measure the effectiveness of a washer, nut, and bolt assembly. In addition to rigorous testing, a good manufacturer should have a complete range of bolt sizes available.