Mechanical behavior of bolted joints during the tightening process with torque control is analyzed by FEM as elastic plastic contact problems. Three-dimensional analysis was conducted employing two-dimensional model with each node having three degrees of freedom that attains high computation efficiency. Such important factors as development of plastic zones, variations of load distributions along engaged threads, the relationships between axial bolt stress and nut rotation angle were analyzed in order to provide an effective guideline when tightening critical structures with high bolt preloads. It was also shown that the proposed numerical method can be applied to evaluate the tightening process by “plastic region tightening” used extensively in recent years. The validity of the numerical method is demonstrated by comparing the calculated bolt elongation with that obtained from experiment.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
mechanical engineering computing, plastic deformation, finite element analysis, numerical analysis, torque control
Topics:
Bolted joints, Numerical analysis, Stress, Thread, Torque control, Finite element analysis, Screw threads, Contact mechanics, Rotation, Friction, Deformation, Elongation, Finite element model
1.
Fukuoka
,
T.
,
Yamasaki
,
N.
,
Kitagawa
,
H.
, and
Hamada
,
M.
,
1986
, “
Stresses in Bolt and Nut
,”
Bull. JSME
,
29
(
256
), pp.
3275
–
3279
.
2.
Bickford, J. H., and Nassar, S., 1998, Handbook of Bolts and Bolted Joints, Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 591–602.
3.
Fukuoka
,
T.
, and
Takaki
,
T.
,
1998
, “
Mechanical Behavior of Bolted Joint in Various Clamping Configurations
,”
ASME J. Pressure Vessel Technol.
,
120
, pp.
226
–
231
.
4.
Fukuoka
,
T.
, and
Takaki
,
T.
,
1998
, “
Mechanical Behaviors of Bolted Joint During Tightening Using Torque Control
,”
JSME Int. J., Ser. A
,
41
(
2
), pp.
185
–
191
.
5.
Fukuoka
,
T.
,
Yamasaki
,
N.
,
Kitagawa
,
H.
, and
Hamada
,
M.
,
1986
, “
A Stress Analysis of Threaded Portions in Fastening
,”
Bull. JSME
,
28
(
244
), pp.
2247
–
2253
.
6.
Chaaban
,
A.
, and
Muzzo
,
U.
,
1991
, “
Finite Element Analysis of Residual Stresses in Threaded End Closures
,”
ASME J. Pressure Vessel Technol.
,
113
, pp.
398
–
401
.
7.
Schwind, B. E., and Wooley, G. R., 1989, “New Findings on Leak Resistance of API 8-Round Connectors,” SPE Production Engineering, November, pp. 466–472.
8.
Bahaari
,
M. R.
, and
Sherbourne
,
A. N.
,
1994
, “
Computer Modelling of an Extended End-Plate Bolted Connection
,”
Comput. Struct.
,
52
(
5
), pp.
879
–
893
.
9.
Fukuoka
,
T.
,
1997
, “
Evaluation of the Method for Lowering Stress Concentration at the Thread Root of Bolted Joints with Modifications of Nut Shape
,”
ASME J. Pressure Vessel Technol.
,
119
, pp.
1
–
9
.
10.
Zienkiewicz, O. C., and Taylor, R. L., 1989, The Finite Element Method, Fourth Edition, Volume 2, McGraw-Hill, pp. 519–522.
11.
Owen, D. R. J., and Hinton, E., 1980, Finite Elements in Plasticity, Theory and Practice, Pineridge Press Limited, pp. 215–269.
12.
Yamamoto, A., 1970, Theory and Practice of the Tightening Process of Screw Threads, (in Japanese), Yokendo, pp. 77–79.
13.
Lehnhoff
,
T. F.
, and
Bunyard
,
B. A.
,
2000
, “
Bolt Thread and Head Fillet Stress Concentration Factors
,”
ASME J. Pressure Vessel Technol.
,
122
, pp.
180
–
185
.
14.
Newnham
,
J.
, and
Curley
,
L.
,
1993
, “
Bolted Joints Under Tensile Service Loads: The Effect of Torsion in the Bolt on In-Service Clamping Loads
,”
ASME J. Mech. Des.
,
115
, pp.
36
–
40
.
15.
Chapman
,
I.
,
Newnham
,
J.
, and
Wallance
,
P.
,
1986
, “
The Tightening of Bolts to Yield and Their Performance Under Load
,”
ASME J. Mech. Des.
,
108
, pp.
213
–
221
.
16.
Tsuji, H., and Maruyama, K., 1999, “Estimation of Yield Clamping Force Based on Rigid-Plastic Model,” ASME DE-Vol. 105, pp. 157–162.
17.
Tanaka, M., and Aoike, T., 1998, “Behavior of Bolted Joints Tightened in Plastic Region,” ASME PVP-Vol. 367, pp. 89–95.
Copyright © 2003
 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.