Reply To: Beam connection regarding

[dlooman]

The bolt pretension feature is intended for bolts which have a nut on each end and a free span through two flanges.  It might be possible to use it for other cases, but it won't be as correct.  The way we create the pretension is to cut the beam in two at the center of the free span and apply forces to the cut ends.  Then in a second load step we lock in the preload with constraints that preserve the relative position of the cut ends.  Could you describe what you mean by a "tapered headed bolt," and provide an image?