Standard DTI Load Indicator Testimonials

"We had Chris come out to our project in Richmond, CA a few years back to give additional bolt-up upgrade training to our Iron workers using Applied Bolting's DTI washers. We probably gained 30% on our productivity and inspection times. His product and tech support proved invaluable on the project and made our ironworkers look like superstars!"

"We use DTI's as a another method of inspection for the structural steel applications we are involved in. We consider their application for every complex steel job we do, every long span roof, and a large majority of our other specialty steel projects."

"We found that DTIs were instrumental in ensuring that the required bolt tension was achieved thus providing the designed connection strength. I have found that DTIs give you much more accurate and consistent results than the turn of the nut method."

"We try to use DTI's on every job. It saves an inspector telling us that the torque or tension isn't right. DTI labor is less expensive than turn-of-nut and with all the issues being raised about twist-offs, DTI's are our preferred method."

"I want to thank you for having Chris Curven stop by our job site in Jacksonville. We spent time together examining how we are bolting our steel together and how we are utilizing our Skidmore test. Chris was able to shed some light on how & why we can use our tester more effectively. He also believes that we are on the right track as far as the way we are getting the job done. He commented that this is one of the few job sites that he has visited that is not experiencing a lot of difficulty. I believe that is because of the conversations that you and I have had concerning the DTI's. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for helping me understand your product better. This in turn makes my job easier."

"...design engineers would do a better job if they understood how steel erectors had to work to build their designs. I especially liked how you give clear "how-to" explanations.

One thing, please: Tell the contractors that the torque wrench is less assurance than even the snug-tight or quarter-turn method!

Everyone should understand that the most accurate and reassuring way to install high-strength bolts to the correct TENSION is with DTIs. Engineers design bolted connections for shear or tension. Torque doesn't mean a thing, so throw away that torque wrench and those twist-off bolts. One grain of sand or dust in the threads makes them worthless!"

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command prefers DTI's over other methods of bolting quality assurance. Here's what their specification says: "... The preferred method in all structural connections is high strength bolts, A325 or A490, in conjunction with Direct Tension Indicating washers (DTI's)...."

For the complete text of what the NAVFAC Structural Engineering Design Guide says, click here. This is a PDF file; once downloaded, see the heading high strength bolting.

"We requested Applied Bolting's DTI's on this project, because we knew we could rely on their field assistance in case we had difficulty with our bolting procedures or the inspection company on the site. We installed 1 1/8" A490 DTI's using a CP 612. Average time after snug was 9 seconds! We are pleased to state the job went smoothly and our bolting hours came in on or below budget."

Caltrans specifies DTI's for bolts used in overhead sign structures "...because they reduce the potential for incorrectly tensioned high strength bolts and ensure galvanized fasteners have been properly lubricated"

"Applied Bolting's DTI passed all job-site tests and were successfully used on the 1" A490 .... twist-off bolts in the seismic bracing connections to control installed bolt tension."

"Applied Bolting routinely carries out a statistical analysis of their compression load tests. Detailed analysis and study of these statistical assessments shows that their product provides exemplary process capability."

"... Applied Bolting's DTI's on mechanically galvanized bolts helped us get this large single-span hot-dipped galvanized bridge together properly, on time, and with a minimum of problems. When we took the falsework away, the dead load camber was spot on where it should have been."

"We used Applied Bolting's DTI's. They worked very well and provided the client with a high quality bolting job and also eliminated the use of torque wrench inspection."

"As usual we designed the connections to be bearing type, but also specified the bolts to be fully torqued down. I hope everyone does this. We feel it gives us the best uniform quality on the job. We also used some DTI's upside down on bolts for electrical conductivity through the heavy paint coatings."

"Applied Bolting Technology is a company that produces DTI's per the ASTM F959 Specification and is now becoming an integral part in making up the available sources for the supply of DTI's. The company President of Applied Bolting Technology, Mr. Wayne Wallace, has a long history of experience in the development of fasteners that are directly related to high strength connections and their design needs."

"... I've used turn-of-nut, torque, TC bolts, and DTI's. Applied's DTI's are all the same! Finally someone has figured out how to make these things. They're trouble-free. I think DTI's like Applied's are the best thing for erectors, the best thing for inspectors, and the best thing for the owner ..."

"... I love them [DTI's]. On my last two projects we used turn-of-nut, but you're limited in what you can do to inspect that procedure. With DTI's you get a more secure feeling because I know we can check anytime ..."

"Direct Tension Indicators manufactured by Applied Bolting Technology are accepted as an approved substitute for the referenced manufacturer, subject to all testing, certifications and submittals specified by the project documents and ASTM F959."

"... DTI's are a permanent record that the bolt has been correctly installed. They save us having to go around lugging a torque wrench ... We certainly appreciate all Applied's help. They've made this job work out the way it should have ..."

"... Applied Bolting has completely redesigned the DTI, relying on controlling bolt tension by means of metal deformation and displacement rather than shearing the metal like the other DTI producers do. Bravo! At last the DTI can be considered for any application without reservation ..."

"Our guys like DTI's now that they are used to them. Inspectors don't give us any trouble. We'd like to use them all the time."

"We have added Applied Bolting's DTI's to our list of approved suppliers."

"DTI's are one of the best time-savers on the job. They make for a better quality job all around. Without them, we'd have to put more money in for inspection."

"Applied Bolting's DTI's worked well as a tool to assure a high quality bolt-up job for the client, and they cut down on improper torquing."

" I can inspect the bolts at anytime
The whole torque versus tension thing is bogus anyway
I can build with fewer hex head bolts because twist-offs don't come in large diameter sizes and this saves me money.
For fatigue loads, it's reassuring to know that with DTI's we're developing the full section, and that as a slip critical connection, the bolts won't see any change in preload when they're correctly tensioned the first place."

"We specified DTI's on the slip-critical bracing connections because we wanted positive assurance that the bolts would be correctly tensioned. Applied Bolting's DTI's did the job we wanted."

"DTI's were specified on this job for the heavy roof truss connections, and Applied Bolting's 1 1/8" A325 DTI's did their job. They were installed on the nut end under a flat washer, and the job went smoothly."

"Applied's [Applied Bolting's] DTI's have never been rejected by a distributor or end-user for any reason, including poor performance, poor workmanship or quality, or failure to conform to any facet of F959.
"Applied [Applied Bolting] has never received even a single complaint from a distributor or end-user alleging that Applied's DTI's failed to perform as advertised or failed to meet the requirements of F959."

"... Most of our contractors have no idea how to properly do turn-of-nut. When we try to enforce it, they quickly realize that DTI's save them money ... [on sign structures] ...Since we went to DTI's, most of our bolting problems went away."

"Nice to talk to informative people for a change, thanks for the info on the web site."

"I love DTI's. I specify them as often as I can. They're not idiot proof, but pretty close."

"... Applied Bolting Technology is our first choice for DTI's ..."