The rated load of shouldered eyebolts must be reduced at angular pulls?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

When loading a shouldered eyebolt, the rating is determined for a pure axial pull along the bolt’s axis. If the pull is at an angle, only part of the force acts in line with the shank while a lateral component creates bending, shear, and extra stress on the threads and shoulder. This combination reduces the bolt’s effective capacity and increases the risk of failure, so the rated load must be reduced for angular pulls. Manufacturers provide guidance or charts to determine the appropriate reduction based on the angle, and the larger the angle, the greater the reduction. Therefore, the statement is correct.

Choosing otherwise would ignore the additional stresses from angular loading, and “sometimes” or “never” would not reflect the safety requirement that angular pulls require a reduced rating.