Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Behavior of Bolt Tightened in Plastic Region

Abstract: Plastic region tightening is widely used in critical bolted joints in internal combustion engines in order to reduce the engine weight by maximizing the use of load-carrying capacity of bolt. Mechanical behavior of bolt tightened in plastic region under external axial tensile load is investigated for various friction conditions using three dimensional finite element analysis. The behavior of bolt tightened in elastic region as well as that in tensile test are investigated for comparison. Tightening process is simulated by rotating the bolt in order to examine the friction effect realistically. It is revealed that the bolt tightened in plastic region can carry more external load until the joint is opened, and yields at lower bolt load than the bolt tightened in elastic region. The friction coefficient has effect on the yield load, but not on the load-carrying capacity. Moreover, the scatter in the bolt preload due to friction begins with plastic deformation of bolt in the angle tightening control, whereas it begins with the onset of tightening in the torque tightening control. The observations are interpreted with the residual torsional stress in the bolt generated during the tightening