Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering http://pig.sagepub.com/ Estimating clamping pressure distribution and stiffness in aircraft bolted joints by finite-element analysis R H Oskouei, M Keikhosravy and C Soutis Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering 2009 223: 863 DOI: 10.1243/09544100JAERO596 The online version of this article can be found at: http://pig.sagepub.com/content/223/7/863 Published by: http://www.sagepublications.com On behalf of: Institution of Mechanical Engineers Additional services and information for Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering can be found at: Email Alerts: http://pig.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts Subscriptions: http://pig.sagepub.com/subscriptions Reprints: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav Permissions: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav Citations: http://pig.sagepub.com/content/223/7/863.refs.html >> Version of Record - Jul 1, 2009 What is This? Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 863 Estimating clamping pressure distribution and stiffness in aircraft bolted joints by finite-element analysis R H Oskouei1∗ , M Keikhosravy2 , and C Soutis3 1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Firuzkooh Branch, Firuzkooh, Iran 3 Aerospace Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK The manuscript was received on 21 April 2009 and was accepted after revision for publication on 2 June 2009. DOI: 10.1243/09544100JAERO596 Abstract: In this study, a finite-element (FE) stress analysis of aircraft structural double-lap bolted joints was performed using the commercially available computational package ANSYS in order to obtain the clamping pressure distribution and to estimate the stiffness of the joined plates (members) within the clamped region. The joint consists of three aluminium alloy 7075-T6 plates clamped by a single bolt, washer, and nut. A three-dimensional (3D) FE model of the joint was generated, and then subjected to three different simulated clamping forces. 3D surface-to-surface contact elements were employed to model the contact between the various components of the bolted joint. The model included friction between all contacting surfaces, and also a clearance between the bolt shank and the joint hole. FE results revealed an overall crock-shaped pressure distribution at the joined plates. Moreover, some beneficial longitudinal compressive stresses were observed around the fastener hole as a result of the clamping compressive effect. Keywords: bolted joints, clamping pressure, joint stiffness, finite element modelling, aluminium alloys 1 INTRODUCTION Threaded fasteners, including overwhelming varieties of bolts and nuts, are largely used to create bolted joints for transferring loads among components in the construction of aircraft structures. Connections of aluminium truss mounts in the aircraft engine support structure to the trusses’ attached lugs are typical examples of bolted joints in aircraft structures. There are conventional methods to design bolted joints and to select the appropriate fasteners under different using and loading conditions [1–5]. However, because of the inevitable presence of drilled holes in the joint members, these connections are inherently vulnerable to failure because of the localized stress concentration and the bearing stresses at the fastener hole. As the bolted joints represent such potential weak points in the structure, where fatigue cracks can grow, the design ∗ Corresponding author: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia. email: reza.oskouei@eng.monash.edu.au JAERO596 of the joint can have a large influence over the structural integrity and load-carrying capacity of the overall structure. Aluminium alloys and composite materials have always been the preferred materials for aircraft construction because of their high strength-to-weight ratio. Therefore, aluminium and composite bolted joints are important elements in designing safe and efficient aircraft structures. On account of this importance, many attempts have been conducted to develop and optimize the design of aircraft structural bolted joints under both static and dynamic loadings [6–12]. In this respect, finite-element analysis (FEA) is the most extensively used numerical tool. For instance, the stress results of a two-dimensional FEA were used to understand failure modes of a bolted joint in low-temperature cure carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) woven laminates loaded in tension and to predict the bearing strength [12]. The numerical results compared favourably to experimental measurements but no detailed analysis was performed for the clamping force. Tightening (twisting) the nut stretches the bolt axially to produce the clamping force (called the Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 864 R H Oskouei, M Keikhosravy, and C Soutis pretension or bolt preload). It exists in the connection after the nut has been properly tightened. Since the members are being clamped together, the clamping force that produces tension in the bolt induces compression in the members [1]. Previous research results showed that the bolt clamping effect can decrease the stress concentration at the bolted hole region when the joint is subjected to an axial tensile load, and thus increases the tensile strength and fatigue life of the joint significantly [13–19]. Recent studies on a single clamped plate showed that a clamping force introduces some beneficial longitudinal compressive stresses near the bolt-filled hole especially at the critical edge of the hole. FEA results confirmed that the magnitude of the compressive stress at the hole region increases significantly when higher clamping forces are applied [18, 19]. Generally, the determination of local stress distribution at a bolted joint is a three-dimensional (3D) problem because of the bending effects and clamping of the fastener. The stress state in the vicinity of a bolted hole depends on many complex factors such as friction properties of the members, contact problem, geometry and stiffness of the joined members, joint configuration, clamping force, and loading conditions. Inclusion of all these factors in a stress analysis of a joint based on the conventional analytical methods is extremely cumbersome. In the selection of a bolt preload to resist the tensile joint separation load, the bolted joint is traditionally characterized by the joint stiffness constant, which depends on both the stiffness of the bolt and the effective stiffness of the clamped material. The stiffness that is difficult to quantify is that of the clamped members, because the stress distribution in the members must be estimated or found using FEA [20]. In order to compute the member stiffness, some wellaccepted assumptions of pressure distribution are used within the clamped zone such as an equivalent hollow cylinder and a pair of frustum hollow cones. Meyer and Strelow [21] used the hollow cylinder assumption to study the member stiffness. In this method, an equivalent hollow cylinder cross-sectional area with a member diameter greater than three times the diameter of the bolt is assumed to estimate the member stiffness. The assumption of a conical distribution (with a cylindrical through hole) is most commonly used to represent the pressure distribution at a bolted joint. Rötscher [22] proposed that the stresses are contained within two conical frusta symmetric about the mid-plane of the joint, each having a vertex angle of 2α. Then a half-apex angle of α = 45◦ was selected to compute the stiffness [22]. Ito et al. [23] used ultrasonic techniques to determine the pressure distribution, and the results showed that the pressure remains high out to about 1.5 bolt radii. However, the pressure falls off farther away from the bolt. Thus Ito suggested the use of Rötscher’s pressure-cone method for stiffness calculations with a variable cone angle. This method is quite complicated; therefore, a simpler approach using a fixed cone angle is suggested to use for design [1]. A review of current literature confirmed that there is no clear available method to determine the stress state in bolted joints. How all important factors fully influence the stress distribution in a joint is complex and has still not been thoroughly investigated. It seems that the FE method is a convenient and efficient way to determine and analyse the stresses and strains at the bolted joints. In previous research work [18], an FE model was generated for a simplified bolted joint (a single plate with a bolt-filled hole) to achieve the clamping stress distribution around the hole in order to investigate isolated effect of clamping force on the fatigue life of the plate. Focusing on the single clamped plate could provide the stress state because of the only clamping of the bolt head and nut in the absence of other joint plates. Obtained experimental results of the fatigue life and experimental observations of initial cracks location verified the FEA results very well. This agreement validated the FE modelling of the bolted plate and FE simulation of the clamping force. This study was carried out to develop an FE simulation approach for the bolted joints in order to analyse stresses and strains because of the clamping force. An aluminium alloy double-lap bolted joint, which is extensively used in aircraft structures, was selected to determine clamping pressure distribution and stiffness of the members in the clamped zone. An appropriate 3D FE model was generated and developed to simulate the bolt clamping force based on the previously verified simulation approach. Stress results developed in the clamped zone are discussed with the aim to improve design of aircraft structural bolted joints. 2 FE MODELLING DETAILS In view of an FEA, the two primary characteristics of a bolted joint that need to be considered are the bolt preload and contact of mating surfaces. Preload and contact capabilities are not available in all FE codes. Therefore, workarounds are sometimes necessary. No single method has become the industry standard, but ANSYS preload and contact elements have helped in modelling the above characteristics [24]. ANSYS includes a full complement of linear and non-linear elements, material laws ranging from metal to rubber, and the most comprehensive set of solvers. It can handle relatively complex assemblies, especially those involving non-linear contact problems, and is a good choice for determining stresses, temperatures, displacements, and contact pressure distributions on all component and assembly designs. Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 JAERO596 Estimating clamping pressure distribution and stiffness 2.1 Geometric modelling and meshing Figure 1 presents the double-lap bolted joint that was selected to be modelled and analysed using the ANSYS FE package. The joint includes three identical aluminium alloy 7075-T6 plates with a thickness of 3 mm and a 5 mm-diameter hole. A standard aerospace bolt fastener (AN3-6A) with a diameter of 3/16 in was selected to clamp the plates together. Fig. 1 Joint geometry and dimensions (in mm) Fig. 2 A 3D solid model was generated under preprocessing capabilities of ANSYS, according to the dimensions of the plates and fastener. Owing to the joint geometry and loading symmetry with respect to two Cartesian planes, only one-fourth of the full model was numerically analysed (Fig. 2). Therefore, symmetric displacement boundary conditions were defined for the nodes on these planes of symmetry. In order to model a bolt fastener in the structure with a bolted joint, several different kinds of bolt models such as solid bolt model, coupled bolt model, spider bolt model, and no-bolt model have been introduced [24, 25]. Each model has some advantages and disadvantages; however, the solid bolt model is the most realistic FE model with the best simulation approach for accuracy in which tensile, bending, and thermal loads can be transferred through the bolt. Kim et al. [25] reported that among all four kinds of the bolt models, the solid bolt model for a structure with a bolted joint could most accurately predict the physical behaviour of the structure. Since the solid bolt is the closest simulation of the actual bolt, this approach was employed in this study for modelling the single bolt fastener and the simulation of the clamping force in the joint. To simplify the bolt head geometry, a circular shape was assumed for the bolt head instead of its hexagonal shape. As the bolt and its washer have similar tensile properties, geometric model of the washer was added to the bolt head (Fig. 3) in order to minimize the contact element use (with ignoring contact elements between the bolt head and washer). This simplification considerably reduces computation processing time with a very good approximation to the experimental observations [18]. Geometric modelling: (a) full model and Cartesian coordinate axes and (b) model of one-fourth for FE analysis Fig. 3 JAERO596 865 Developed solid model of double-lap bolted joint Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 866 R H Oskouei, M Keikhosravy, and C Soutis In bolted joints, the length of the unthreaded section of the bolt shank (grip length) should be approximately equal to the total thickness of the fastened components [26]. According to the standard dimensions of the selected AN3-6A bolt, the grip length is 3/8 in, which is approximately equal to the total thickness of the joint. Therefore, there is no need to consider the bolt threads in this model. Moreover, a radial clearance of 0.1 mm is between the bolt shank and the fastener hole, as shown in Fig. 3. The model consists of one set of solid elements for the plates and another set for the bolt. The 3D structural brick elements, as called SOLID45 in ANSYS, were used for the 3D modelling of the bolt and plate sections. This cubic-shaped element has eight nodes (one on each vertex of a cube), each having three degrees of freedom (translations in the x, y, and z directions). The use of these elements provides the same accuracy in plasticity (2 × 2 × 2 integration points) as the higherorder elements (20-node element), but requires much less computational power to converge the numerical solutions especially in non-linear problems such as contact analysis [27]. Figure 3 illustrates the required dummy divisions for the plates and bolt to achieve the optimal mesh density based on the mesh refinement around the hole, identification of contact zones, and also obtaining a converged solution. Size of the mesh regions and thus the elements were modified several times in order to achieve element-size-independent results. The final refined FE model is shown in Fig. 4. 2.2 subjected to the selected maximum wrenching torque of 5.5 Nm [9]. The friction effect between all potential contacting surfaces was included in the analysis using the elastic Coulomb friction model with a friction coefficient of 0.33 between the steel bolt (head) and top aluminium plate [28], and 0.32 between the top and middle plates [13]. 2.3 Contact definition Contact between components of a bolted joint is a main feature that transfers the applied load in the joint. Therefore, it is essential to accurately model contact conditions in bolted joints in order to achieve much more reliable results. Contact problems are Material properties Fig. 4 Typical FE model used An elastic–plastic multilinear kinematic hardening material model was used to represent the aluminium alloy 7075-T6 stress–strain behaviour. This material model was selected to analyse plastic as well as elastic stresses and strains on condition that the applied bolt preloads cause the material to be plastically deformed. To do this, a true stress–strain diagram for Al-alloy 7075-T6 was obtained from a simple tensile test (Fig. 5); then, seven data points from this diagram were used as input data for the material model, as given in Table 1. Furthermore, the elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio were measured to be E = 71.0 GPa and ν = 0.33, respectively. However, for the steel bolt and its steel washer, a linear elastic material relationship was assumed with a Young’s modulus of 210 GPa and a Poisson’s ratio of 0.30. This is based on the tested fact that the bolt material remained in the elastic region (without any plastic deformation) when it was Fig. 5 True stress–strain diagram for Al-alloy 7075-T6 Table 1 Test data points of stress–strain diagram for 7075-T6 Strain 0 7 × 10−3 8.2 × 10−3 9.4 × 10−3 12 × 10−3 16 × 10−3 1 × 10−1 Stress (MPa) 0 497 524 538 552 565 647 Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 JAERO596 Estimating clamping pressure distribution and stiffness generally classified into two classes: rigid-to-flexible and flexible-to-flexible. Bolted joints are an example of flexible-to-flexible contact problems. ANSYS can model contact problems with contact elements based on the present Lagrange multiplier, penalty function, and direct constraint approach. When meshing a model, the nodes on potential contacting surfaces comprise the layer of contact elements whose four Gauss integration points are used as contacting checkpoints. ANSYS provides three contact models: node-to-node, node-to-surface, and surfaceto-surface. Each type of contact model uses a different set of ANSYS contact elements and is appropriate for specific types of problems. Contact in the bolted joints is addressed using these contact types and their elements depending on the model being used. For the solid 3D modelling, the surface-to-surface contact is mostly used. For the FE model of the bolted joint, a 3D fournode surface-to-surface contact element CONTA173 was used to represent the contact between contacting surfaces in the joint model. This element was preferred to the eight-node element CONTAC174 (with mid-side nodes) because of the use of structural SOLID45 elements for the solid model of the joint which have no mid-side nodes [29]. A 3D target segment element TARGE170 was also used to associate with CONTA173 via a shared real constant set. 2.4 867 the nut is tightened by applying a torque, thus causing the bolt to axially elongate. Since the bolt head and nut react to this behaviour of the bolt, a preload is created in the bolt, and consequently causes the joint members to clamp together (called a joint clamping force). Based on this fact, a combined approach was developed for simulation of the clamping force in the joint model. In this method, the clamping effect is considered by directly applying an axial displacement at the bottom surface of the bolt shank mid-section in the solid bolt model. To apply the clamping force, the problem was numerically solved by applying an initial negative displacement at the bottom surface of the bolt shank in the Y direction (see Fig. 3). Then the corresponding clamping force because of the axial displacement was quantified by obtaining the total reaction force in the solid bolt model. As the bolt model includes half of the bolt shank, the bolt clamping force was finally determined by multiplying the obtained quantity by 2. This approach was repeated several times to accurately achieve three previously selected clamping forces of 1000, 3000, and 6000 N. This method of simulation for clamping force in bolted joints was validated in earlier studies where the comparison between the experiments and simulation results showed a very good agreement and verified the validation and accuracy of the bolt modelling approach in a single bolted plate [10, 18]. Clamping simulation In FE modelling, applying a clamping force can physically simulate fastening bolt at the joint. It was reported that bolt clamping can generally be modelled with different methods such as thermal deformation, constraint equation, and initial strain [25, 30]. In the thermal deformation method, the preload is generated by assigning virtually different temperatures and thermal expansion coefficients to the bolt and components. In the case of the constraint equation method, the preload is a special form of coupling, with which equations can be applied to govern the behaviour of the associated nodes. The initial strain method is a more direct approach, in which the initial displacement is considered as a portion of the preload on the structure with a bolted joint [25]. In solid bolt model, to apply the clamping force over the bolt, the virtual thermal deformation method is employed. The thermal expansion coefficient is assumed to be unit and the temperature difference T is regarded as the following relation T = 4Fcl Eπd 2 FE STRESS RESULTS 3.1 Pressure distribution due to clamping force The contour of transverse normal stress σy , which presents the clamping pressure in the clamped region, resulting after application of a 6 kN clamping force is shown in Fig. 6. An overall crock-shaped pressure distribution is observed at the joint considering all plates. However, the clamping pressure at the outer plates, which are closer to the bolt head and nut, is represented by a frustum of a hollow cone, according to the (1) where E is the Young’s modulus of the material, d is the bolt nominal diameter, and Fcl is the clamping force. However, when a bolt and nut are used to fasten a joint, JAERO596 3 Fig. 6 Distribution of transverse normal stress σy in MPa at clamped plates because of a 6 kN clamping force Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 868 R H Oskouei, M Keikhosravy, and C Soutis front view of the joint thickness shown in Fig. 7. Moreover, the pressure-cone angles α1 and α2 due to the applied clamping forces were obtained for each case of loading by drawing a tangent line to the pressure band, which indicates a compressive stress of approximately −10 MPa in the contour of stress σy . As can be observed in Fig. 8, compressive transverse normal stresses due to the bolt clamping are symmetrically distributed around the hole of the middle plate like circular bands for all three differently clamped models. The most compressive transverse stress occurs at the hole edge whose magnitude increases significantly when a higher clamping force is applied. The results showed that the transverse stress σy at the hole edge of the middle plate increased from −12 to −64 MPa when the clamping force was enhanced from 1 to 6 kN, respectively. However, the stress faded further from the hole edge even in the firmly clamped model. Moreover, the contour reveals that the stress distribution is quite uniform along the thickness of the middle plate. The observation of strain results confirmed that all components of the strain remained in the elastic region of the plate material, and no plastic deformation occurred in the joint plates even because of the maximum applied clamping force (6 kN). 3.2 Longitudinal stress in middle plate due to clamping It is obvious that the final fracture in double-lap bolted joints loaded in a longitudinal tension occurs in the middle plate at or in the vicinity of the reduced section at the fastener hole. In fact, the nature of the load transfer mechanism in the joint causes the middle plate to bear the applied longitudinal tensile load by itself rather than two outer plates. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether the clamping effect can introduce some beneficial compressive stresses around the fastener hole in the middle plate. Figure 9 illustrates the longitudinal normal stress σx contour in the middle plate after applying a 6 kN clamping force to the joint model. Some desirable compressive stresses are observed near the hole especially at the critical edge of the hole. This beneficial effect of the clamping is presented in Table 2 where a higher clamping force introduces a higher magnitude of the longitudinal compressive stress throughout the thickness of the middle plate at the critical edge of the hole. According to the obtained numerical results, although the magnitude of the longitudinal compressive stresses even for the highest clamping force is not considerable, this stress component can play a key role in reducing the resultant in-plane stress when the joint is subjected to a remotely applied longitudinal tensile loading. 3.3 Stiffness of clamped members A general view of the clamping compression geometry at the joined members with the half-apex angle α is shown in Fig. 10. In order to compute the stiffness of the double-lap bolted plates in the clamped zone, a pressure distribution in the form of a frustum of a Fig. 7 Pressure distribution with pressure-cone angles because of the applied set of clamping forces Fig. 9 Distribution of longitudinal normal stress σx in MPa in middle plate because of a 6 kN clamping force Table 2 Fig. 8 Distribution of transverse normal stress σy in MPa in middle plate because of a 6 kN clamping force Effect of clamping to increase longitudinal compressive stress magnitude (averaged throughout the thickness of middle plate at critical edge of the hole) Applied clamping force (kN) 1 3 6 Longitudinal compressive stress (MPa) −3.10 −6.66 −7.92 Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 JAERO596 Estimating clamping pressure distribution and stiffness Fig. 10 Clamping compression at double-lap bolted plates represented by a pair of frustum hollow cones and a middle hollow cylinder hollow cone at the outer plates and a hollow cylinder at the middle plate is assumed. Using Shigley’s analytical solution for member stiffness based on the work of Lehnhoff et al. [31], the contraction of an element of the hollow cone of thickness dy subjected to a clamping force Fcl is Fcl dy E1 A1 dδ1 = (2) The area of this cylinder is A2 = A1 = − D1 + 2 K2 = = Fcl πE1 3t/2 t/2 (4) Therefore, the spring rate or stiffness of the frustum as the top/bottom plate is K1 = Fcl = δ1 πE1 d tan α (D1 + d)(D1 − d + 2t tan α) ln (D1 − d)(D1 + d + 2t tan α) (5) Similarly, for the hollow cylinder δ2 = Fcl t E2 A 2 JAERO596 2 2 d − 2 πE2 [(D1 /2 + t tan α)2 − (d/2)2 ] Fcl A2 E2 = = δ2 t t (8) 1 2 1 K1 K 2 = + ⇒ Km = Km K1 K2 K1 + 2K2 (3) dy [(D1 + d)/2 + (3t/2) tan α − y tan α] ×[(D1 − d)/2 + (3t/2) tan α − y tan α] (D1 + d)(D1 − d + 2t tan α) Fcl ln πE1 d tan α (D1 − d)(D1 + d + 2t tan α) =π D1 + t tan α 2 As all three plates act like compressive springs in series, the total spring rate (stiffness) of the plates is The total contraction of the hollow cone is obtained by integrating equation (2) from y = t/2 to y = 3t/2 as δ1 = − ri22 ) Thus, the stiffness of the hollow cylinder as the middle plate is ri12 ) 2 2 3t d − y tan α − =π 2 2 D1 + d 3t =π + tan α − y tan α 2 2 D1 − d 3t × + tan α − y tan α 2 2 2 π(ro2 (7) The area of the element is 2 π(ro1 869 (6) (9) As previously mentioned, in order to design bolted joints more properly and to achieve safer and more reliable joints particularly in aircraft structures, the stiffness of the clamped material is required to be computed as precisely as possible. This needs to obtain the clamping pressure distribution at the joint accurately. The above analysis, which is using the characteristics of the obtained pressure geometry (α and D2 ), can be used to develop the design of aluminium bolted joints, and thus to optimize the clamping force such that aluminium plates in the double-lap bolted joint are not failing by through-the-thickness crushing. 4 CONCLUSIONS In order to determine the clamping pressure distribution and joint stiffness in aircraft metallic double-lap bolted joints, a solid-bolt-based model was used in ANSYS FE package to simulate the applied clamping force in the joint. An overall crock-shaped pressure Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 870 R H Oskouei, M Keikhosravy, and C Soutis distribution was observed at the clamped plates including a pair of frustum hollow cones developed at the outer plates and a hollow cylinder shape at the middle plate uniformly distributed along the thickness. The bolt clamping force can introduce some beneficial longitudinal compressive stresses around the fastener hole with localized maximum magnitudes at the critical edge of the hole. These stresses are more compressive in firmly clamped joints and can considerably reduce the damaging effect of in-plane tensile stresses that usually develop at the edge of the hole when a tensile load is remotely applied to the joint. The clamping simulation method used in this study compares favourably with some recent experimental work performed by the authors [18], but further analysis is required, especially for multiple bolted joints and fatigue loading conditions. 12 13 14 15 16 © Authors 2009 17 REFERENCES 1 Budynas, R. G. and Nisbett, J. K. Shigley’s mechanical engineering design, 8th edition, 2008 (McGraw-Hill, Boston). 2 Bickford, J. H. An introduction to the design and behaviour of bolted joints, 1997 (Marcel Dekker Inc., New York). 3 Kulak, G. L., Fisher, J. W., and Struik, J. H. A guide to design criteria for bolted and riveted joints, 1987 (Wiley, New York). 4 Blake, A. Practical stress analysis in engineering design, 1990 (Marcel Dekker Inc., New York). 5 Gould, H. H. and Mikic, B. B. Areas of contact and pressure distribution in bolted joints. Trans. ASME, J. Engng Indust., 1972, 94(3), 864–870. 6 Ireman, T. Three-dimensional stress analysis of bolted single-lap composite joints. Compos. Struct., 1998, 43, 195–216. 7 Hwa, C.W., Shiaw, L. S., and Tyan,Y. J. Three-dimensional contact stress analysis of a composite laminate with bolted joint. Compos. Struct., 1995, 30, 287–297. 8 Cooper, C. and Turvey, G. J. Effects of joint geometry and bolt torque on the structural performance of single bolt tension joints in pultruded GRP sheet material. Compos. Struct., 1995, 32, 217–226. 9 Keikhosravy, M. Finite element modelling and stress analysis of Al-alloy 7075-T6 bolted joints due to combined clamping and longitudinal tensile load. Bachelor’s Final Project, Islamic Azad University, Semnan Branch, Iran, 2007. 10 Oskouei, R. H. and Chakherlou, T. N. Reduction in clamping force due to applied longitudinal load to aerospace structural bolted plates. Aerosp. Sci. Technol., 2009, 13(6), 325–330. DOI:10.1016/j.ast.2009.06.001. 11 HemmatiVand, E., Oskouei, R. H., and Chakherlou,T. N. An experimental method for measuring clamping force in bolted connections and effect of bolt threads lubrication on its value. In Proceedings of the World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, The Fifth 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 International Conference on Applied Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, Bangkok, Thailand, December 2008, vol. 36, pp. 457–460. Andreasson, N., Mackinlay, C. P., and Soutis, C. Experimental and numerical failure analysis of bolted joints in CFRP woven laminates. RAeS, Aeronaut. J., 1998, 102(1018), 445–450. Shankar, K. and Dhamari, R. Fatigue behaviour of aluminium alloy 7075 bolted joints treated with oily film corrosion compounds. Mater. Des., 2002, 23, 209–216. Yan, Y., Wen, W. D., Chang, F. K., and Shyprykevich, P. Experimental study on clamping effects on the tensile strength of composite plates with a bolt-filled hole. Composites: Part A, 1999, 30, 1215–29. Aragon, A., Alegre, J. M., and Gutierrez-Solana, F. Effect of clamping force on the fatigue behaviour of punched plates subjected to axial loading. Eng. Failure Anal., 2006, 13, 271–281. Minguez, J. M. and Vogwell, J. Effect of tightening torque on the fatigue strength of bolted joints. Eng. Failure Anal., 2006, 13, 1410–1421. Chakherlou,T. N. and Oskouei, R. H. An investigation on fatigue failure modes of aluminium alloy 7075-T6 bolted joints. Amirkabir Int. J. Sci. Technol., 2007, 18(66-B), 45–54. Chakherlou,T. N., Oskouei, R. H., and Vogwell, J. Experimental and numerical investigation of the effect of clamping force on the fatigue behaviour of bolted plates. Eng. Failure Anal., 2008, 15, 563–574. Chakherlou, T. N., Abazadeh, B., and Vogwell, J. The effect of bolt clamping force on the fracture strength and the stress intensity factor of a plate containing a fastener hole with edge cracks. Eng. Failure Anal., 2009, 16, 242–253. Musto, J. C. and Konkle, N. R. Computation of member stiffness in the design of bolted joints. J. Mech. Des., 2006, 128, 1357–1360. Meyer, G. and Strelow, D. Simple diagrams aid in analyzing forces in bolted joints. Assembly Eng., 1972, 28–33. Rötscher, F. Die Maschinenelemente, 1927 (Springer, Berlin). Ito, Y., Toyoda, J., and Nagata, S. Interface pressure distribution in a bolt-flange assembly. ASME paper 77WA/DE-11, 1977. Montgomery, J. Methods for modeling bolts in the bolted joint. In Proceedings of the ANSYS User’s Conference, 2002. Kim, J.,Yoon, J. C., and Kang, B. S. Finite element analysis and modeling of structure with bolted joints. Appl. Math. Modell., 2007, 31, 895–911. US Department of Transportation. Airframe & powerplant mechanics: general handbook, 1976, ch. 6 (US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC). ANSYS release 9.0 documentation. ANSYS Elements Reference, Part I, Element Library, SOLID45. Oskouei, R. H. An investigation into bolt clamping effects on distribution of stresses and strains near fastener hole and its effect on fatigue life. Master’s Thesis, University of Tabriz, Iran, 2005. ANSYS release 9.0 documentation. ANSYS Elements Reference, Part I, Element Library, CONTA173. Imaoka, S. Modeling preloaded fasteners. ANSYS, Inc., memo no. STI43:000430, 2000. Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 JAERO596 Estimating clamping pressure distribution and stiffness 31 Lehnhoff, T. F., Kwang, I. I. K., and McKay, M. L. Member stiffness and contact pressure distribution of bolted joints. ASME J. Mech. Des., 1994, 116, 550–557. APPENDIX Notation A1 A2 d dy D1 D2 E E1 E2 element cross-section area of hollow cone cross-section area of cylinder bolt nominal diameter, hole diameter element thickness of hollow cone outside diameter of washer outer diameter of cylinder Young’s modulus Young’s modulus of top/bottom plate Young’s modulus of middle plate JAERO596 871 Fcl Km K1 K2 ri1 ri2 ro1 ro2 t clamping force total stiffness stiffness of top/bottom plate stiffness of middle plate element inner radius of hollow cone inner radius of cylinder element outer radius of hollow cone outer radius of cylinder thickness α δ1 half-apex angle of pressure cone total transverse contraction of top/ bottom plate total transverse contraction of middle plate temperature difference Poisson’s ratio longitudinal normal stress transverse normal stress δ2 T ν σx σy Proc. IMechE Vol. 223 Part G: J. Aerospace Engineering Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014 Downloaded from pig.sagepub.com by guest on November 23, 2014