Welding or Bolting: Which Steel Structure Connection is Right for Your Project?

Steel structures are the backbone of modern construction. An essential part of any building - from industrial plants and warehouses to skyscrapers - these metal structures provide a strong and reliable framework. But how do they achieve their strength and stability while forming reliable connections? 

 

That depends on the connection method used while fabricating steel structures. Two primary methods are favored by contractors, which include welding and bolting. Each of these methods is not without its advantages as well as limitations. This necessitates choosing the right method based on multiple factors, which include but are not limited to cost, efficiency, structural requirements, and environmental conditions. 

 

In this blog, we’ll dissect both welding and bolting and find out if steel structure fabricators prefer one over the other. 

 

Welding in Steel Fabrication: Advantages and Limitations

 

Welding involves melting and fusing two steel components together with the application of heat at the contact point. Once cooled, the metal solidifies into a single, strong structure. Steel structure fabricators use a few different types of welding, which are as follows: 

 

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding: Also commonly abbreviated as SMAW, this is a manual welding method that joins metals with the help of consumable electrodes. 

 

• Gas Metal Arc Welding: Or GMAW for short, this process is best suited for high-strength and high-speed applications. It is also known as Metal Inert GAs or MIG welding.

 

• Flux-Cored Arc Welding: This type of welding requires minimal shielding gas, which makes it ideal for outdoor welding tasks. It’s also known as FCAW. 

 

• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding: Slow and labor-intensive, this welding process is very precise and of high quality. Though it’s called GTAW for short, it’s also known as TIG or Tungsten Inert Gas welding. 

 

Advantages of Welding 

 

Structural welding offers a set of benefits, which can make it the preferred choice for fabricators. These advantages are: 

 

• High Joint Strength: Since welding leads to the creation of a monolithic structure, you can expect the resultant joint to be more durable in the short and long run. 

 

• Better Aesthetics: Welding offers seamless joints by eliminating the need for external bolts and fasteners. The overall finish is more visually appealing. 

 

• Suited For Complex Projects: Welding enables the creation of complex structures and intricate designs, which makes it suitable for custom projects. 

 

• Low Maintenance: Due to their high resilience and strength, welded joints require low maintenance over time. 

 

Limitations of Welding 

 

Structural welding has certain limitations too. For example, it can be a very time-consuming process, requiring skilled labor and precise execution. It can also be costly and difficult to repair. What’s more, welding can be impractical for on-site projects during challenging conditions such as wind, rain, snow etc. Additionally, there’s also the risk of deformation during the application of heat. 

 

Bolting in Steel Fabrication: Advantages and Limitations

 

Bolting is a connection method that has been used since time immemorial. This simple method involves the fastening of two components together with the help of heavy-duty nuts and bolts. A highly flexible method, bolting can be of several types. Let’s explore:

 

Transfer force synthesis bolted connections:

 

• Eccentric connections
• Concentric connections
• Moment-resisting connections 

 

Bolted connections on type of force:

 

 

• Tension connections
• Shear connections 
• Combined connections 

 

Force mechanism bolted connections: 

 

• Bearing-type connections 
• Friction-type connections 

 

Advantages of Bolting 

 

Bolting is fast and quick, thus reducing assembly time on-site. Since it’s not dependent on highly skilled laborers, bolting can be a very cost-effective connecting method. It doesn’t require specialized equipment, making both repairs and inspection both easy and convenient. A simple tightening of the bolt or replacing it is enough to fix loose connections. What’s more, it’s modular and flexible and can be easily disassembled, thereby enabling relocation when needed. 

 

Limitations of Bolting 

 

Advantageous as it may be, bolting also results in weaker joints, which may cave under stress. Since nuts and bolts are visible, bolting might not be very visually appealing either. Moreover, bolts can come loose over time due to repeated vibrations. There can also be hole alignment issues during installation, which can potentially delay the assembly process. 

 

Conclusion

 

Choosing between welding and bolting is entirely dependent on project requirements. That said, if high-strength connections are a priority, welding is a better choice. So if you’re looking for structural welding services in the GTA, we’d suggest giving us a call. At Weld Rich and Steel, we have a team of professional and highly skilled welders who can accomplish the most complex of tasks. Contact us today to work with the best welders in Toronto.