For many years, elastic theory has been used in analysing and designing eccentrically loaded riveted and bolted connections. During the past 20 years, tests and studies have led to the development of several new methods, including the use of an effective eccentricity in elastic design, and ultimate strength methods using plastic analysis or the exact load–deformation response of the bolts. In this paper, a design method using a simple elliptical shear–moment interaction formula is proposd. An experimental program was carried out to investigate the behavior of eccentrically loaded bolt beam connections failing in bearing on the beam webs. Failure loads of tested connections are compared with theoretical values from the various analytical methods. It is concluded that the traditional elastic method using actual eccentricities is the most suitable and direct method for the design of any of the bolt configurations considered in this paper. The ultimate strength method using the exact load–deformation response of the bolts is too complex for design office use, except in the form of tabulated values. The elliptical interaction curve or the elastic method is just as accurate and much simpler to apply. Keywords: connections, high strength bolts, beams, structural steel.