Spacing of Bolts/Rivets in Built-up Beams
$$ S = \dfrac{R I}{V Q} $$
where:
- $S$ = spacing of bolts/rivets
- $R$ = shear force that the bolts/rivets can resist $R = F_v (A_b)$
- $F_v$ = maximum allowable shear stress of bolt/rivet
- $A_b$ = cross-sectional area of a single bolt/rivet $A_b = \dfrac{\pi d_b^{2}}{4}$
- $d_b$ = bolt/rivet diameter
- $I$ = moment of inertia of the beam built-up section
- $V$ = shear force on the beam
- $Q$ = statical moment of the section above the discontinuity $Q = A \bar{y}$