What is the shank of a bolt

The shank of a bolt is the unthreaded, cylindrical portion of the bolt located just below the head. It provides a smooth surface without threads and serves several important functions in the overall design of the bolt:

1. Alignment: The shank is often used for alignment purposes, helping to position the bolt accurately during assembly. It allows components to slide over it smoothly, ensuring proper alignment before the threaded portion engages with a nut or threaded hole.

2. Bearing Surface: The shank may serve as a bearing surface that distributes the clamping force across a broader area. This helps prevent damage to the materials being joined or to the components themselves.

3. Tensile Strength: The shank provides a region of consistent and uninterrupted cross-sectional area. This can contribute to the bolt's overall tensile strength and load-carrying capacity.

The length and diameter of the shank can vary depending on the specific design and intended application of the bolt. In some bolts, the shank may be partially or fully threaded, in which case it serves a dual purpose by providing both a smooth bearing surface and a threaded section for creating clamping force.