Bolted joint torque setting using numerical simulation and experiments

作者：Hwang Hsiu Ying^*

来源：Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 2013, 27(5): 1361-1371.

DOI：10.1007/s12206-013-0317-2

• Bolted joint
• Torque setting
• Numerical simulation
• Finite element analysis
• Experimental tests

In vehicle design process, the torque setting for a bolted joint is mainly determined based on hardware tests. For a newly designed joint of a vehicle, making prototypes and performing tests is expensive and time consuming. Numerical simulation can help predict joint behavior and detect potential failure modes prior to hardware testing. This study developed a numerical simulation using the finite element method to set the installation torque for a joint based on torque-angle signature curves. A three-dimensional detailed model of the joint was constructed. Then, finite element dynamic simulation was used to simulate the installation process of the bolt by gradually applying a torque until the bolt failed. Using these simulations, the torque-angle curves were generated and were used to determine the installation torque of the joint. This was different from the majority of earlier approaches which mainly used hardware tests, two-dimensional or three-dimensional simplified models, and static analyses instead of dynamic analyses. Material nonlinearity and contact were used in the study to capture the joint failure and contact conditions. For comparison, experiments were conducted. The study showed that the finite element analysis accurately predicted the bolt behavior. These results show that numerical simulation can be used to determine torque settings analytically, and can be developed as a standard practice for determining joint torque when designing vehicles.

• 出版日期2013-5