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Finite element analysis and mathematical characterization of contact pressure distribution in bolted joints

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Abstract

Quantitative characterization of contact pressure distribution in bolted joints directly influences the calculation accuracy of connection stiffness. In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element model of the bolted joints is established using the software ANSYS, and pretension force and contact between the joint components are accommodated in the model. Then, parametric studies are carried out to investigate the effects of the material properties, preloads, bolt sizes, grip lengths and hole clearances on the contact pressure distribution. According to the finite element analysis results, a polynomial equation system is derived for mathematical representation of contact pressure distribution in bolted joints. Furthermore, the conical envelope angle used in the mathematical characterization is identified for the bolted joints with different bolt sizes and grip lengths. Finally, an experimental platform is constructed for the measurement of contact pressure distribution, and then the applicability of mathematical characterization is validated by comparison with a series of experiment results.

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Abbreviations

E :

Elastic modulus

d :

Stud diameter

d h :

Hole diameter

d w :

Contact diameter of bolt head and upper plate

D 0 :

Outer diameter of plates

t 1 :

Thickness of upper plate

t 2 :

Thickness of lower plate

r :

Radius of pressure distribution

L :

Grip length

a :

Conical envelope angle

σ :

Pressure distribution characterization

P :

Pretension force

ΔT :

Virtual temperature difference

β :

Thermal expansion coefficient

A :

Cross section area of bolt

ℓ :

Scale factor

T :

Tightening torque

K :

Torque coefficient

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Science Challenge Project (No. TZ2018007) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51775410).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Jianbin Cao & Zhousuo Zhang

Authors
  1. Jianbin Cao
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  2. Zhousuo Zhang
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Correspondence to Zhousuo Zhang.

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Recommended by Associate Editor Yang Zheng

Jianbin Cao received his M.S. degree in School of Mechatronic Engineering from China University of Mining and Technology in 2012. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China. His current research interests include dynamics and fault diagnosis of mechanical structures.

Zhousuo Zhang received the M.S. degree from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 1991, and the Ph.D. degree from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2004. He is a Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China. He was a visiting scholar at the University of Southampton, Southampton, U.K., from 2006 to 2007. His current research interests include machinery condition monitoring and fault diagnosis, reduction and control of mechanical vibration and noise, and equipment fault prognosis and prediction of service life.

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Cao, J., Zhang, Z. Finite element analysis and mathematical characterization of contact pressure distribution in bolted joints. J Mech Sci Technol 33, 4715–4725 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-019-0913-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-019-0913-x

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