The Bolted Joint: Economy of Design Through Improved Analysis and Assembly Methods

Abstract

The design of bolted joints has been based on the assumption that joint behaviour is linear; it has also been assumed that the magnitude of the bolt clamping loads within a broad range do not effect the transfer of loading between the bolt and the clamped parts. Recent research has shown that most joints have eccentricity and that this causes the joint behaviour to be very sensitive to bolt clamp loads; further research has shown that clamp load can be increased and its scatter reduced by new controlled tightening methods. Applying the new design knowledge and tightening techniques can increase the load-carrying capacity of existing structures and permit lower weight and lower cost in new designs.