Effect of Friction Coefficients Regarding Bolt Self-Loosening

As there have been many researches for bolt self-loosening and a lot of knowledge have been accumulated, the phenomena has been understood more and more clearly. On the other hand, it is quite difficult to achieve both non-self-loosening and easy bolting tasks. In practical situations, easy and stable bolting is more focused and torque control is employed for tension control in the fields. For the stable bolting, friction of the threads is reduced by lubrication. However, the effect of this friction reduction is not yet investigated in the aspect of self-loosening. In this paper, the effect of frictions between male and female threads and between nut and bearing surface is investigated by FEA simulations. This provides information how self-loosening can be controlled. In this paper, the motion of the fastened plate transverse to the bolt axis is considered. This motion is known as the easiest motion to make self-loosening in experience and also as shown so in the author’s previous researches. The friction seems to increase self-loosening and also decrease self-loosening at the same time. It seems that the friction on the bearing surface drives self-loosening and friction on the thread surfaces prevents it. In this paper, both the frictions are examined in the relative manner with the Finite Element Analyses.

Elastic-Plastic Analogy for Examination of Softening Response for Strip Yield Models

The manner in which the spread of inelastic deformation of a softening cohesive zone affects the load capacity is examined. The analysis makes use of an elastic-plastic analogy to the strip yield model applied to pure bending. The example of pure bending is one case where inelastic deformation contributes to enhancing the load capacity. The analytical solution to the elastic-plastic case is developed for zero hardening (baseline for strip yield case for which analytical solution is known) as well as for a range of linear softening rates. Evaluation of the results shows that the maximu m bending load capacity is always reached before the stress at the surface becomes zero.

Influence of Elastic-Plastic Bending on the Relationship Between Applied Load and Maximum Bending Stress for Straight and Curved Bars

Bending capacity in excess of the load required to cause yielding is due to a combination of work hardening and the effect of the plastic zone spreading toward the neutral axis. For materials of sufficiently high ductility, a fully developed plastic zone is achieved and the bulk of the section is stressed beyond yield. For lower ductility materials, failure may occur prior to full development of the plastic zone such that only a fraction of the cross section is at or above the yield stress. In such cases, the relationship between applied load and maximum bending stress becomes sensitive to the shape of the stress-strain curve near the yield point. This relationship is examined for straight and curved bars of rectangular and trapezoidal cross-section for tensile stress-strain curves characterized by nonlinear functions. The stress distribution as a function of applied load is determined analytically by enforcing moment equilibrium across the section. The strain distribution is determined through the classical condition of “planes remain plane” during deformation. The solutions provide analytically smooth load curves such that maximum stress can be directly plotted as a function of applied load. These plots exhibit three distinct regimes of response: 1) elastic, 2) development of plastic zone, and 3) fully developed plastic zone. Since the response is analytically smooth, the detailed relationship through the knee of the tensile curve can be examined. The results indicate that bending capacity is influenced significantly by the development of small amounts of plastic strain prior to reaching a yield point defined by the usual 0.2% plastic strain offset method. The results also show how loss of ductility with respect to tensile elongation translates into reduced bending load capacity in a non-linear relationship.

Stress Analysis of SS316L Tube Die Expansion for High Pressure Gas Coolers

SS316L finned tubes are becoming very popular in high-pressure gas exchangers and particularly in CO2 cooler applications. Due to the high-pressure requirement during operation, these tubes require an accurate residual stress evaluation during the expansion process. Indeed, die expansion of SS tubes creates not only high stresses when combined with operation stresses but also micro-cracks during expansion when the expansion process is not very well controlled. This research work aims at studying the elastic-plastic behavior and estimating the residual stress states by modeling the die expansion process. The stresses and deformations of the joint are analyzed numerically using the finite element method. The expansion and contraction process is modeled considering elastic-plastic material behavior for different die sizes. The maximum longitudinal, tangential and contact stresses are evaluated to verify the critical stress state of the joint during the expansion process. The importance of the material behavior in evaluating the residual stresses using kinematic and isotropic hardening is addressed.

Experimental Study on the Characteristics of Bolted Pipe Flange Connection Under Bending Moment and Internal Pressure

After a bolted gasketed pipe flange connection is assembled, the pipe flange connection is usually subjected to some additional loads such as bending moment, own weight, wind load and so on. These additional loads will lead to changing the axial bolt force distribution of the pipe flange connection and the distribution will become more and more scattered. As a result, the minimum residual axial bolt force will be much smaller and the minimum contact gasket stress will decrease, so a leakage is easy to occur in the connection. In special cases such as earthquakes, the bolted pipe flange connection is usually subjected to a high bending moment. Then sometimes leakage accidents occur. In order to promote the safety of the connections and to avoid them being broken under the earthquakes, in the present paper, the equivalent pressure and the assembly efficiency in the pipe flange connection of class 150 4″ are measured experimentally. The leak rates of the connection using spiral-wound gasket when a bending moment was applied or not applied were measured to elicit the equivalent pressure. Moreover, some tightening procedures such as JIS B 2251, ASME PCC-1 Legacy and GB/T 38343 were applied to tighten the pipe flange connection. The axial bolt force distribution, the assembly efficiency based on the target axial bolt force and the assembly efficiency based on tightness parameter of the connection when bending moment was applied or not applied were measured, and the results are compared. As a result, the equivalent pressure under a given bending moment is obtained, and a difference of the equivalent pressure between our results and Kellogg’s results is demonstrated. In addition, the new assembly efficiency based on the tightness parameter is also measured under a given bending moment as well as internal pressure. Using the equivalent pressure and the assembly efficiency obtained in the present paper, a new design will be possible for pipe flange connections under bending moment.

Assessment of Section III Appendix XIII-3230 Plastic Analysis

Plastic analysis according to Section III Appendix XIII-3230 may be used in lieu of satisfying primary stress limits. The associated definition of plastic collapse load is based on limiting the permanent plastic deformation to not exceed the elastic deformation using a method that is also used to determine the collapse load experimentally. The acceptable load is calculated from the collapse load using a reduction factor that depends on the Service Level. Using some simplified application examples, the strengths and weaknesses of the method are discussed relative to the objectives of primary stress limits. Proposals for modifications of the plastic analysis method in the Code are reviewed and assessed. Elements of a proposal for an updated version of Appendix XIII-3230 are discussed, including providing additional guidance for the computational implementation of the method. The representation of the material stress-strain curve is another important aspect that may require additional guidance.

Effect of Material and Lubrication Conditions on the Underhead Frictional Response in High Strength Socket-Head Screws

The present paper investigates the influence of several design parameters on the frictional response at the underhead in a bolted joint, involving high strength socket-head screws: M8 class 14.9 with black oxidization coating. The experimentation deals with different underhead materials (Steel, Aluminium), lubrication conditions (dry, lubricated) and repeated tightening operations. The awareness of the actual friction coefficients, depending on the current operating parameters, is a useful tool, to support the most proper design of a bolted joint. The experimental campaign has been run by a testing rig for friction coefficient estimation, complying with the recommendations by International Standard ISO 16047 and the automotive Standard VW01131-1 in order to consider the effect of the tightening speed normally adopted in the automotive field. The axial preload generated upon tightening induces a high pressure on the remarkably small underhead surface of the utilized high strength socket-head screws and is therefore likely to affect the tribological response. Consequently, some differences may be expected with respect to the tribological behavior of screws belonging to lower strength grades. This is particularly true, when tightening is done without bearing lubrication, and through several repeated assembly-disassembly operations. The collected data have been processed by the tools of ANOVA and F-Test, in order to assess the significance of each factor, as well as related interactions.

An Estimation of Long-Term Sealing Performance for Bolted Pipe Flange Connections With Spiral Wound Gaskets Under Elevated Temperature

SWGs (Spiral Wound Gaskets) are well known as a most used gasket type in bolted pipe flange connections all over the world. Recently, the connections with SWGs have been used under more severe conditions such as higher temperature and pressure, and in addition, the connections have been used in the more long-term application. Thus, it is necessary for plant owners (gasket users) to know the long-term characteristics of the connections with SWGs from a standpoint of integrity in the connections. In this study, the objective is to establish a long-term estimation method of sealing performance for bolted pipe flange connections with SWGs under elevated temperature. The long-term characteristics of pipe flange connections with SWGs are estimated using FEM calculations in which the fundamental mechanical characteristics of SWGs such as compression property under changed temperature is considered, thermal expansion behavior, creep relaxation and sealing performance are taken into considerations. For verification of FEM calculations, the experiments are carried out for the pipe flange connections with SWGs of which the nominal size is ASME class 300 2inch under elevated temperature and internal pressure. The gasket used is chosen as SWG with flexible graphite filler. The change in axial bolt forces and an amount of leakage are measured and the measured results are fairly coincided with the FEM calculation results. In addition, the contact gasket stress in the connection with SWG is shown in 72 months. The FEM calculations are performed as heat conduction problem in transient state.

Practical Estimation of Retorque Requirements

The initial assembly of a bolted flanged joint (BFJ) commonly includes several ramped torque steps using various bolt torque patterns, final circular pass(es) at 100% of target torque, and then the choice of whether and when to come back and retorque the just-assembled joint. The value of retorquing a newly assembled bolted flanged joint varies significantly by which gasket material and type is used in the joint. The additional maintenance costs of labor, tool rental, scaffolding, crane usage, etc. to perform a retorque on a joint can be significant, but the larger cost is generally the additional process downtime. Gaskets based on sheet materials are often retorqued. Conventional practice indicates that BFJs with gaskets made from flexible graphite or fiber sheets typically do not benefit from retorques, or at least do not benefit enough to offset the additional costs. Conversely, industry experience with many polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based gaskets indicates these joints benefit significantly from retorquing a BFJ after initial assembly. This paper explores some practical methods to estimate potential retorque benefit as a function of retained gasket stress without the retorque at temperatures normally “in range” for the gasket material being considered. That is, at temperatures that would not cause thermal damage to the gasket material. For flexible graphite and fiber materials known to experience mechanical property degradation with time and/or temperature (“aging”), a typical 5-year life is used. For PTFE gaskets known to relax primarily with temperature and that do not appreciably age, use of the Hot Blowout Thermal Cycling test (HOBTC) can provide a quick evaluation of gasket stress loss as a function of temperature. Retained gasket stress in both cases can then be used to estimate tightness for the gasket material using the Room Temperature Tightness (ROTT) data. If the joint is still at or above required tightness, then retorquing the joint soon after initial assembly is of little benefit. If the gasket has lost enough stress, then a retorque can bring the gasket stress back into range to provide sufficient tightness. Knowing this, the end user can make better choices for both gasket material selection and assembly procedures in order to reduce overall job costs.

FEM Stress Analysis and Leakage Behavior of Pipe-Socket Threaded Joints Subjected to Bending Moment and Internal Pressure

This paper is a report of the studies on the mechanical behaviors and leakage characteristics of pipe-socket threaded joints subjected to bending moment as well as internal pressure by means of experimental tests and finite element simulations. The paper dealt with the 3/4″ and 3″ joints, and the joints for both sizes have two different combinations of thread types in the pipe and socket, i.e. taper-taper thread combination or taper-parallel one, respectively. Experimental bending leak tests showed that the taper-taper joints could retain internal pressure under bending load up to nearly plastic collapse. The taper-parallel joints, however, could hardly keep internal pressure against bending moment even the sealing tape was applied to enhance the sealing performance. Finite element analysis was carried out to simulate those bending tests, especially to clarify the deformation and the stress distribution in the engaged threads in detail. The analysis demonstrated that the sealing performance of the joints highly depend on the contact conditions not only at the thread crest to thread root but also in between flank surfaces. A complicated leak path across the engaged threads under bending moment was identified by the simulation.