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IS 805:1968 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for use of hot riveted or bolted connections in steel structures for overhead water tanks. This code outlines the design, detailing, and execution of hot riveted or bolted connections in steel overhead water tanks. While hot riveting is largely obsolete in modern construction, this standard is crucial for the structural evaluation, maintenance, and repair of existing older steel tanks. It emphasizes connection requirements to ensure structural integrity and water-tightness under hydrostatic loads.
Specifies practice for hot riveted and bolted connections in steel structures of overhead water tanks.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Structural Engineering — Tanks, Silos and Storage Structures
! Hot riveting is almost obsolete in modern practice; welding or high-strength friction grip (HSFG) bolts are now preferred for new tanks.
! This code is highly valuable for forensic structural engineers assessing or retrofitting existing riveted overhead steel tanks.
! Unlike standard structural framing, tank connections require specific caulking and often closer rivet pitching to ensure strict water-tightness.
steelrivetsbolts
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
EN 1993-1-8:2005CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures - Part 1-8: Design of joints
Covers bolted connections in modern steel structures but uses a different design philosophy (Limit State Design) and focuses on high-strength bolts.
AISC 360-16AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction), USA
MediumCurrent
Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
Chapter J on connections is the modern US equivalent, but it primarily covers high-strength bolts and uses LRFD/ASD design methods.
BS 449-2:1969BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom
HighWithdrawn
Specification for the use of structural steel in building - Part 2: Metric units
A contemporary standard to IS 805 that also used Allowable Stress Design and included provisions for rivets and ordinary bolts, making it philosophically similar.
Key Differences
≠Design Philosophy: IS 805:1968 is based on the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) method, where stresses under service loads are kept below a specified fraction of the material's failure stress. Modern standards like Eurocode 3 and AISC 360 use Limit State Design (LSD) or Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD), which applies partial safety factors to loads and material resistances.
≠Fastener Technology: IS 805 provides detailed guidance on hot-driven rivets and ordinary 'black' bolts (e.g., IS:1363). Modern international standards have phased out riveting and focus almost exclusively on high-strength structural bolts (e.g., Grade 8.8/10.9 or ASTM A325/A490).
≠Connection Types: IS 805 primarily addresses bearing-type connections. Modern codes make a clear distinction between bearing-type connections and slip-critical (or friction-grip) connections, with different design procedures for each, especially concerning serviceability limit states.
≠Failure Mode Analysis: Modern standards require checks for multiple complex failure modes that are not explicitly detailed in IS 805, such as block shear rupture in the connected plates and interaction between shear and tension in bolts.
Key Similarities
≈Fundamental Mechanics: Both IS 805 and modern standards are based on the same fundamental principles of transferring loads through fasteners in shear and bearing on the connected plates.
≈Geometric Constraints: All standards specify minimum requirements for fastener spacing (pitch) and edge/end distances to prevent premature failure modes like plate tear-out, bearing failure, and to ensure adequate installation access. The underlying reasons for these rules are identical.
≈Net Section Check: The concept of reducing the effective cross-sectional area of a tension member to account for the material removed for bolt holes is a fundamental and common practice across both IS 805 and all international equivalents.
≈Shear vs. Bearing Limitation: All codes recognize that the capacity of a simple connection is determined by the lesser of the fastener's shear strength or the bearing strength of the plates being connected.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Minimum Fastener Pitch
2.5 times the nominal diameter of the bolt/rivet.
2.67 times the nominal bolt diameter is recommended (2-2/3 d).
AISC 360-16
Minimum Edge Distance (Sheared Edge)
1.75 times the nominal diameter of the bolt/rivet.
1.75 times the nominal bolt diameter (for bolts up to 1" diameter).
AISC 360-16 (Table J3.4)
Permissible Shear Stress in Power-Driven Shop Rivets
100 N/mm² (MPa)
110 N/mm² (MPa)
BS 449:1969
Permissible Shear Stress in Ordinary 'Black' Bolts
80 N/mm² (MPa)
Approx. 83 N/mm² (12 ksi) using Allowable Stress Design (ASD).
AISC 360-16 (for similar grade A307 bolts)
Permissible Bearing Stress on Connected Part (Steel)
235 N/mm² (MPa) for standard Fe 410-S steel.
275 N/mm² (MPa) for Grade 4.6 bolts on Grade 43 steel.
BS 449:1969
Hole Clearance for Calculation
Calculations for shear and bearing strength are based on the nominal diameter of the fastener.
Calculations for bearing are based on the hole diameter, while shear may use nominal or root thread area depending on shear plane location.
EN 1993-1-8
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Minimum pitch of rivets/bolts2.5 x nominal diameter of rivet
Minimum edge distance (sheared edge)2.0 x hole diameter
Minimum edge distance (rolled or machine cut edge)1.5 x hole diameter
Maximum grip length of rivets8 x hole diameter
Standard clearance for rivet holes (diameter <= 25mm)1.5 mm
Are hot riveted connections still used for newly constructed water tanks?+
Rarely. Modern steel tanks predominantly use welded connections or structural bolts, but this code remains vital for evaluating historical or older structures.
What governs the rivet pitch in water tanks compared to general steel structures?+
Pitch in tanks must be close enough to allow for effective caulking and to ensure complete water-tightness at the joints, overriding generic maximum pitch limits.
Which code is used alongside IS 805 for general steel design rules?+
IS 800 is heavily referenced for general structural steel design principles not explicitly covered in IS 805.