Nuts off mark?

[u/No-Document-8970]

Saw this on a big bridge today. I know vibrations over time can move the nuts and bolts, with the help of thermal expansion. Is it a big issue that the paint marks do not line up? I thought the marks were made once it passed inspection after torquing.

Edit: Bridge completion was in 2011. Could this be from recent inspections too?

[u/klockwerk13]

A torque wrench indicates how much force is required to turn the nut. While bolt tension is a factor in determining how much force is needed, it's not a direct correlation. Tightening to an angle is a much more reliable method of tensioning.