Analysis of Additional Load and Fatigue Life of Preloaded Bolts in a Flange Joint Considering a Bolt Bending Load

The influence of the working load on dynamic loading bolt was investigated in our study for two cases flange joints. analytical calculation according to Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI) 2230 recommendation and numerical analysis using finite element method (FEM) were performed a model four-bolt joint. To verify FEM analysis, forces bolts measured during preloading application test rig. Based results, point its fatigue life analysed different cases. Comparison results shows that overestimates additional stresses at low load, mainly due extremely large fraction bending stress. As increases, differences between methods decrease, but only reason can linearly scale overestimated lower other hand, progressive increase stress higher loads spreading flange. It is also shown high washer significantly increases reasons: (i) reduces bolt, (ii) shifts critical from thread area transition shank head.