Title: An experimental study of the torque-tension relationship for bolted joints

Authors: Yanyao Jiang, Jianjun Chang, Chu-Hwa Lee

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering (312), University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA. Mechanical Engineering (312), University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA. Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI 48121, USA

Abstract: An experimental approach to determining the torque-tension relationship for a typically used bolted joint was developed. In addition to the bulk torque-tension relationship, the experiments measured the thread friction and the bearing friction between the nut surface and the clamped surface. The influence of the use of washers made of different materials under repeated tightening was studied. A statistics analysis was conducted to allow for a reliability assessment of the bolted joints in terms of the clamping force control.

Keywords: bolted joints; tightening; torque-tension relationship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2001.001264

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2001 Vol.16 No.4/5, pp.417-429

Published online: 01 Jul 2003 *

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