Bolted Joint Analysis
by
Moris Fresko
(rev 4, February 2020)
Hooke’s Law
• Stress = E Strain
• F/A = E dL/L
• F = (AE/L) dL
• F = k dL
• Stiffness k = AE/L
• kjoint > kbolt
Magnified Mill Deflection
Preloaded bolt; no external force
CASE “A”
Preloaded bolt; no external force
Fjoint = -650
Fexternal = 0 Fbolt = 650
negative number indicates compressive force
CASE “A”
Now add external force
CASE “B”
Bolted Joint Basics
• When bolt is preloaded and the preload is maintained, bolt
“sees” roughly 15% of external load (joint “sees” the
remaining 85%).
• When bolt is not preloaded or it loses its preload (joint opens),
bolt “sees” 100% of every additional external load.
Add external force of 100
Fjoint = -650 + 85
= -565
Fexternal = 100 Fbolt = 650 + 15
= 665
negative number indicates compressive force
CASE “B”
Increase external force to 765
Fjoint = -650 + 650
= 0
Fexternal = 765 Fbolt = 650 + 115
= 765
negative number indicates compressive force
CASE “C”
If force is too high, joint opens-up
CASE “D”
Increase external force to 765 + 100
Fjoint = 0
Fexternal = 865 Fbolt = 765 + 100
= 865
negative number indicates compressive force
CASE “D”
Bolting Theory
Force
Deflection
Bolting Theory
Force
Deflection
Bolting Theory
Force
Deflection
Bolting Theory
Force
Case “A”
650 External
(Preload) Load
On the
Joint
=0
Bolt
Stretch Joint
Compression
Deflection
Bolting Theory
Force
Case “A”
650 External
(Preload) Load
On the
Joint
=0
Bolt
Stretch Joint
Compression
Deflection
Bolting Theory
Force
Case “B”
665
15% of 100 Case “A”
650 External
(Preload) Load
On the
85% of 100
Joint
= 100
565
Bolt
Stretch Joint
Compression
Deflection
Bolting Theory
Force
Case “C”
765
Case “B”
665
15% of 765 Case “A”
650 External
(Preload) Load
On the
85% of 765
Joint
= 765
565
Bolt
Stretch
Deflection
Bolting Theory
Force Case “D”
865
Case “C”
765
Case “B”
665
Case “A”
650 External
(Preload) Load
On the
Joint
= 865
565
Bolt
Stretch
Deflection
Bolting Theory
Bolting Analysis Requirements
• Bolt preload must be sufficient to avoid joint separation and
sliding.
• Total maximum bolt load must not exceed bolt material yield
point.
• Alternating bolt load must be less than the fatigue limit of the
bolt.
CHOOSE diameter, qty, bolt material
Structural Bolt Materials used by Metso
• Grade 7 Bolts - typical: ASTM A193 Grade B7
(105,000 psi yield)
• Grade 8 Bolts: ASTM A354 Grade BD
(130,000 psi yield)
• Grade 5 Bolts: ASTM A325 Type 1
(81,000 psi yield)
Bolts