Bolted Joint Preload Distribution from Torque Tightening

The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of how bolt preloads are distributed within a joint as each bolt is tightened in turn by the use of a calibrated torque wrench. It discusses how the order that the joints nuts/bolts are tightened can affect the final bolt preload. It also investigates the effect on incrementally increasing the bolt preload through a series of applications of the controlled torque tightening sequence. Classical analysis methods are used to develop a method of analysis that can be applied to most preloaded bolted joints. It is assumed that the static friction coefficient is approximately 15% less than the dynamic friction. It is found that the bolt preload distribution across the joint can range from slightly above the target preload to significantly less than the target preload. The bolts with a preload greater than the target preload are found to be those tightened towards the end of the tightening sequence, usually located close to the outer edges of the joint’s bolt array. The bolts with a preload less than the target preload are those tightened early in the tightening sequence, located centrally within the joints bolt array. The methods presented can be used to optimise bolted joint design and assembly procedures. Optimising the design of preloaded bolted joints leads to more efficient use of the joints.

Parametric sensitivity research of interference-fit bolted single-lap laminates joint based on an improved analytical stiffness model

Because of the excellent static and fatigue performance, the interference-fit bolted structure has a wide application prospect in the joint field. In this paper, an improved spring-mass stiffness analytical prediction model is established for the interference-fit bolted single-lap laminated composite structure. The influences of interference-fit percentage, bolt preload, secondary bending and interface frictions are considered in the model. Combined with experimental research, the value of secondary bending moment coefficient ε is studied, and the correctness of the analytical model is verified. Based on the improved stiffness model, parametric research and regression analysis on the interference-fit percentage, preload, friction, laminate width and material properties are carried out and show that the overall structure stiffness is obviously affected by ε value, laminate width and laminates properties. The stiffness decreases with the increase of ε and increases with the increase of laminate width. And as the key factors, the interference-fit percentage mainly affects the joint local friction and bolt shear stiffness, the preload and friction coefficient mainly affect the local friction, and the laminates sizes and properties directly affect the overall structural stiffness.

Experimental investigation on self-loosening of a bolted joint under cyclical temperature changes

The most commonly used part in engineering fields is threaded fasteners. There are a lot of advantages of fasteners. One of them is that they can be easily disassembled and reused, but a bolted joint can loosen easily when a transversal load is applied. The clamp load of a bolted joint can also loosen slowly when subjected to repeated temperature changes. This paper presents an experimental investigation of the self-loosening of bolted joints under cyclical temperature variation. Experiments are carried out under several cyclical temperature changes with different bolt preloads. Rectangular threaded bolted joints with M12 × 1.75 bolts and nuts are tested in a specially designed testing apparatus. Material of bolt, nut, and plates is a stainless steel. The experimental results show that the high initial bolt preload may prevent the joint from self-loosening and the bolted joint has loosened significantly in the first cycle of temperature changes. From this investigation, the loosening of the bolted joint can be considered as a first stage self-loosening.

Simulating the Effect of Friction on Drive Screw Using System-of-System Modeling with Predetermined Torque

In most mechanical systems, screw threads serve three main basic purposes: (i) to transmit power, (ii) to provide a clamping force, and finally (iii) to restrict or control motion. This chapter demonstrates the effects of friction and behavior which can occur in a bolted fastening (screw thread) for advanced design purposes. To model this behavior, other control components are attached to the bolted screw. The bolt preload is applied with a predetermined torque. For this case the preload depends on the friction under the head and in the thread. The friction prevents the loosing of the bolted fastening. This effect is termed as self-locking effect. We designed an algorithm that reproduces an exemplary simulation scenario, which determines friction and its effect on thread angle based on the strength of the coefficient of friction at a specific tension or clamp load value using the system-of-system approach. The result shows specific behavior on both the motion in threads and drive screw with predetermined torque. The chapter is limited to creating a simple simulation environment to demonstrate the effects.

Experimental investigation of preload losses in high strength bolts under cyclic loading

Slip-resistant shear connections with preloaded bolts have traditionally been used in steel structures exposed to cyclic / fatigue loading or in cases when bolt slipping or connection deformations should be restricted. Hence, shear load is transferred through friction surfaces rather than through contact between the bolt surface and the hole. The main influencing parameters determining slip resistance of the connection are the friction between contact surfaces and the bolt preload level. This paper presents an experimental study of preloaded bolted connections under cyclic load, the main objective being to investigate the influence of cyclic load on the losses of preload force in high strength bolts and lock bolts.

Dynamic Analysis and Looseness Evaluation of Bolted Connection Under Vibration of Machine Tools

Bolted connections are widely used in the machine tool manufacturing and equipment. As it is well known, bolt preload will be attenuated by the vibration of machine tools, which will degenerate the working life of machine tools. In this paper, a new experimental design method is introduced into the study on bolt preload attenuation: the quadratic general rotary unitized design. The dynamic analysis of the bolted connection is carried out based on a finely fragmented numerical model to interpret the generation of fretting slip and the reason for the loosening of bolts. The alternating load cyclic vibration test, implemented on the bolted joints, can provide the vibration response under the influence of different working factors. Statistical test and analysis are performed on the quadratic regression mathematical model of the bolt preload attenuation, and the principal working factor that affecting the bolt preload attenuation under vibration can be obtained. Based on the analytical result, the combination of the working factors at the lowest bolt preload attenuation rate, which can effectively slow the bolt looseness, is investigated. The results of this study can provide an experimental basis for improving the machining stiffness of machine tools.

A METHOD TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ASSEMBLY TIGHTENING PASSES IN BOLTED FLANGE JOINTS

Bolted flange joints are extensively used in the pressure vessels and piping equipment and rotating machinery. Achieving a uniform bolt preload during the assembly process is particularly important to satisfy in bolted flange connection of oil and gas and fossil and nuclear applications. However, it is a very difficult task when tightening all bolts one by one due to elastic interaction. The risk of leakage failure under service loading is consequently increased because of the scatter of the bolt preload. This paper takes the advantage of a developed analytical model based on the theory of circular beams on linear elastic foundation that simulate the elastic interaction of bolted flange joints to reduce the number of passes while achieving bolt load uniformity. As such, a novel methodology for the optimization of the tightening sequence strategies is suggested to obtain uniform bolt tension while avoiding yield under minimum tightening passes. In this regards, based on the target preload, the load applied to each bolt in each pass is suggested. The developed approach is validated both numerically using FEM (finite element method) and experimentally on a NPS 4 class 900 welding neck flange joint using the criss-cross tightening and sequential patterns.