Finite-Element Analysis of the Load Factor and Design for Bolted Circular Flange Joints Consisting of Dissimilar Clamped Parts Under Tensile Loadings
Abstract The load factor for bolted circular flange joints where two dissimilar material (steel-aluminum) of circular flanges are clamped by a lot of bolts and nuts under external tensile loadings is examined newly using Finite Element analysis. Furthermore, the effects of the bolt pitch circle diameter D and number of tightened bolts N on the load factor and a load when the interfaces start to separate are examined. The value of the load factor for steel-aluminum circular flange joint is a little bit larger than that for steel-steel circular flange joints and it increases as the value of D decreases. In addition, it decreases as the value of N increases. A maximum bending stress is also found newly about 5% larger than the bolt stress due to the load factor. The experiments to measure the load factor, the maximum bending bolt stress and a load when the interfaces start to separate were carried out. The FEM results are fairly coincided with the experimental results. Finally, based on the obtained load factor, a design method for bolted joints with dissimilar circular flanges is demonstrated for determining the nominal bolt diameter and the bolt strength grade and the effect of bolt number N is examined. It is found that the contact stress at the bearing surfaces of aluminum circular flange is critical and it is shown that washers are needed in some cases.