For a properly installed connection, what is the goal of pretensioning?

The primary goal of pretensioning in a structural steel connection is to create a clamping force. Pretensioning involves tightening fasteners, such as bolts, to a specified tension during installation. This clamping force ensures that the connected elements remain in contact under various loads and reduces the risk of slippage or movement at the joint. By maintaining this pressure between the connected surfaces, pretensioning enhances the overall integrity and load-carrying capacity of the joint.

While holding fasteners in place is a result of pretensioning, it is not the main goal, as that function is secondary to establishing the desired clamping force. Preventing fatigue in materials is a benefit that can arise from properly designed and pretensioned connections, but it is not the direct aim of the pretensioning process itself. Similarly, while pretensioning can contribute to accommodating thermal expansion by keeping connections tight even as the materials expand or contract, this is not the primary objective. The emphasis is firmly on creating that crucial clamping force to ensure stability and performance under load.