Stress Analysis and the Characteristics of T-Shape Bolted Joints Under Tensile Loadings

Abstract

In designing a bolted joint, it is important to examine the interface stress distribution (clamping effect) and to estimate the load factor, that is the ratio of an additional axial bolt force to a load. In order to improve the clamping effect raised faces of the interface have been used. But these interfaces in bolted joints have been designed empirically and the theoretical grounds are not made clear. In the present paper, in the case of T-shaped flanges with raised faces the clamping effect is analyzed by a two-dimensional theory of elasticity and the point matching method. Then, the load factor is analyzed. Moreover, with the application of the load a bending moment is occurred in bolts and the stress is added due to this bending moment. The bending moment in the bolt is also analyzed. In order to verify these analyses experiments to measure the load factor and the maximum bolt stress were carried out. The values of the load factor and the load when interface start to separate are compared with those of the joints with flat-faces. The analytical results are in fairly good agreements with the experimental ones.