What Is a U-Bolt?

When you break it down, a U-bolt is a bolt bent into the shape of the letter “u.” It’s a curved bolt that features threads on each end. Because the bolt is curved, it fits nicely around pipes or tubing. That means U-bolts can secure piping or tubes to a support and work as a restraint.

When to Use a U-Bolt

U-bolts are a jack-of-all-trades in construction. They can have a wide range of applications, but they can be lifesavers when it comes to piping solutions. Here is common way they used in piping:

As a Restraint and Guide

U-bolts can work as a tube or pipe restraint. That means they keep piping from moving, banging into other structures, and wearing down. 

However, restraining pipes is about more than pinning them down. In some cases, simply holding down piping can lead to corrosion at the point where pressure is most focused. When used as a guide instead, the U-bolt controls movement without pressing vibrations into a concentrated point. This means pipes can move axially, or through the pipe restraint, but won’t bounce up and down.