Yuya Omiya

3-D FEM Stress Analysis of Screw Threads in Bolted Joints Under Static Tensile Loadings

The stress concentration factor (SCF) for the roots of screw threads in bolted joints under static loadings is analyzed using 3-D elastic FEM taking account the spiral of screw threads. At first, the stress states at the roots of screw threads in initial clamping state in a bolted joint where two hollow cylinders were clamped with a bolt and a nut were analyzed in initial clamping. The elastic FEM result of SCF for the first root was obtained as SCF=3.2. When the bolt was clamped in initial clamping (preload) at the 60 % of bolt yield stress, the plastic deformations were found at the first and the second roots, and non-engaged screw threads. It was found that as the external tensile loads increased, the development in plastic deformation region increased from the first root to the other roots as well as the non-engaged screw threads. It was found that the rupture occurred from the non-engaged screw threaded part while the plastic deformation increased at each root of screw threads. The numerical result was coincided with the experimental result. In the experiments, it was observed that the rupture occurred from the non-engaged screw thread and not from the first root of screw thread. Also, the bolt fatigue was predicted from FEM and it was shown that a fatigue fracture occurred from the first root.Copyright

Correlation on Scatter Between Torque Coefficient and Bolt Preload in Pipe Flange Connection

In this paper, a mechanism of variation in axial bolt force in pipe flange connection during bolt tightening process is investigated. Especially, Correlation between torque coefficient and bolt preload is investigated. The actual pipe flange connection is tightened by a wrench due to the torque control method. Axial bolt forces were measured in the tightening process. The three types of gasket are chosen in this paper. As a result the good relationships are seen between torque coefficient and axial bolt force. The effect of gasket material on the relationships between torque coefficient and bolt preload is not seen.Copyright

FEM Analysis on Creep Deformation and Axial Bolt Force Change in Threaded Fasteners at Elevated Temperature

In this study, the creep deformation in the threaded joint are discussed using a finite element method, and evaluated the influence of the dimensions of bolt and clamped parts. The stress and creep strain distributions are calculated using the Finite Element Analysis. The occurrence and the propagation of the creep deformation and influence of the creep deformation on the axial bolt force were discussed. It was found that the creep deformation occurred at the bearing surfaces and the engagement screw thread mainly at the elevated temperature. The creep deformation was a cause of the reduction in axial bolt force.Copyright

Effect of scatter in axial bolt force on the sealing performance of 20″ inch pipe flange connections with CSG under internal pressure

Since a scatter in axial bolt force exists in assembling the pipe flange connections, it is important to evaluate the effect of scatter in axial bolt force on the sealing performance of pipe flange connection. The FE and experimental analyses were done to evaluate the effect of scatter in axial bolt force on the sealing performance of pipe flange connection with 20 “nominal diameter. The results revealed that the large diameter pipe flange connection was sensitive to the scatter in axial bolt force. Besides, the large diameter pipe flange affected more by flange rotation when internally pressurized. As a result, a larger diameter pipe flange connection with scattered bolt preload showed poor sealing performance. The experimentally obtained scatter in axial bolt force as assembled was taken into account in FE analyses and the effect of the scatters on the contact gasket stress distributions was shown numerically. FE results show that the sealing performance is reduced due to the distributed gasket stress and bolt force scatter in the axial direction.Copyright

Mechanism of Screw Thread Loosening in Bolted Joints With Dissimilar Clamped Parts Under Repeated Temperature Changes

It is well known that bolted joints are sometimes loosened under transverse repeated loadings. Recently, some studies have been carried out on the mechanism of the bolt loosening under transverse repeated loadings. In the present research, the mechanism of bolt loosening was examined for a bolted joint using Junker’s type loosening test machine under transverse repeated loadings. Furthermore, a rotational deformation of bolt axis and nut was analyzed using FEM. As a result, it is found that the rotational load is applied and the bolt loosening occurs due to the deformation between the bolt axis and the nut. The measured change in axial bolt force was fairly good agreement with the numerical results. In addition, the bolt loosening in bolted joints with dissimilar clamped parts was examined under temperature changes. Due to the temperature changes, it is assumed that a relative displacement among the bolt bearing surface and the bearing surfaces of the clamped parts and then it is found that a bolt loosening occurs. In FEM calculations, the behavior of the bolt loosening was examined and found to occur a slight loosening. In the experiments, the bolt loosening was measured under temperature changes. The material of dissimilar clamped parts is assumed steel and aluminum. The thickness of the clamped parts is 10mm. The tendency of the bolt loosening is fairly coincided between the numerical and the measured results. It was observed that the bolt loosening occurred easily as the clamped length (gap length) decreased. In the FEM calculations, the slope θ of the bearing surfaces between the bolt head and the clamped part is assumed to be 0.5 degree to 2 degree. The effects of the slope of the bearing surfaces and on the bolt loosening are examined in the FEM calculations. The calculated results are in a fairly good agreement with the measured results. As the conclusions, 1) the bolt loosening of bolted joints under transverse repeated loadings was elucidated using 3-D FEM calculations, 2) Under repeated temperature changes, it was found that the bolt loosening occurred due to the slips between the bearing surfaces and the interfaces of clamped parts. Using FEM calculations, the behavior of the bolt loosening was elucidated.Copyright

Mechanical Characteristics and Design of Bolted T-Shape Flange Joints Subjected to Tensile Loadings

Bolted joints have been widely used in mechanical structures. However, a design of bolted joints has been carried out empirically. In designing a bolted joint, it is necessary to know a ratio of increment Ft in axial bolt force to an external tensile loading W, that is, the load factor φ=Ft/W. In our previous paper, the new formulation for obtaining the value of the load factor φ for a bolted joint in which two hollow cylinders were clamped was proposed by introducing the tensile spring constant Kpt for clamped parts. Then, it is shown that the values of the load factor of bolted joint obtained from our formulation are in a fairly good agreement with the experimental values. In addition, the effect of the position where an external load is applied to the joint is significant on the value of the load factor. In the present paper, a method for obtaining the value of the load factor for bolted T-shape flange joints in which two T-shape flanges are clamped by two bolts and nuts under tensile loadings is demonstrated using two-dimensional theory of elasticity. In the analysis of the load factor φ, the compressive spring constant Kc for a hollow cylinder around the bolt hole is calculated. The value of the correction factor Kc′/Kpt is also analyzed using the two-dimensional theory of elasticity. When the external tensile loads are applied to the joints, the bolts are inclined and as the result, the bending moment occurs in the bolts. A method for analyzing the bending stress in the bolts is also demonstrated. In the numerical calculations, the distance C between the bolt position and the center of T-shape flange is varied and the effect of the distance C on the load factor is examined. For the validation of the analyses, calculations are also carried out. Experiments to measure the load factor and the maximum stress due to the bending moment occurred in the bolts were carried out. The numerical results of the load factor and the maximum stress in the bolts are fairly coincided with the experimental results. Furthermore, a design method for the joints is discussed, that is, how to determine the bolt position C, the bolt preload for the external tensile loading, how to choose the bolt strength.Copyright