Exogenous disturbances, the tolerances of bolted joints, and the large number of possible combinations and configurations make it difficult to control the preload in bolted joints. Direct measurement of joint preload is not possible without calling upon laboratory testing or instrumented fasteners. The objective of smart tightening would be to compensate for the current dispersions by detecting events occurring during the tightening process that have an impact on the final value of the preload. Since the number of possible parameters, such as coating or diameter, to be considered in the selection of a bolted joint is large, this article focuses on a precise list of the main parameters characteristic of a bolted joint and the major dispersions they induce. It is first shown that dispersions in the joint parameters interfere with the evaluation of the torque and should be limited, in order to reduce the uncertainty of the preload in the joint. It is then shown that the contact torque and the tightening coefficient are key parameters for controlling the preload installed in the coupling. To detect the contact torque and tightening coefficient, a method based on real-time measurable data obtained with an instrumented screwdriver is also presented. Thus, the smart tightening method proposed in this article guarantees better respect of the preload target and limits the risks of over or under torque.
BenhaddouTChirolCDaidieA, et al. Pre-tensioning effect on fatigue life of bolted shear joints. Aerosp Sci Technol2014; 36: 36–43.
2.
AbazadehBChakherlouTNAlderliestenRC. Effect of interference fitting and/or bolt clamping on the fatigue behavior of Al alloy 2024-T3 double shear lap joints in different cyclic load ranges. Int J Mech Sci2013; 72: 2–12.
3.
GrizaSda SilvaMEdos SantosSV, et al. Experimental evaluation of cyclic stresses on axially loaded bolted joints. Proc IMechE, Part C: J Mechanical Engineering Science2016; 230(15): 2611–2622.
4.
CoriaIMartínIBouzidAH, et al. Efficient assembly of bolted joints under external loads using numerical FEM. Int J Mech Sci2018; 142: 575–582.
5.
SevostianovIKachanovM. Contact of rough surfaces: a simple model for elasticity, conductivity and cross-property connections. J Mech Phys Solids2008; 56(4): 1380–1400.
6.
RafikVDaidiéACombesB, et al. Simplified analysis of the early stage self-loosening of a shear-loaded bolted joint. In: International Conference on Theoretical, Applied and Experimental Mechanics. Springer, Cham, 2019. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-21894-2_33
7.
BaggerlyRG. Evaluating the effects of overtorque in bolts. Pract Fail Anal2001; 1(1): 41–46.
8.
YikunLZhimingH. Experimental and constitutive investigation on tangential sliding behavior of bolted joints with high preload. J Manuf Process2021; 64: 889–897.
9.
SunQYuanBMuX, et al. Bolt preload measurement based on the acoustoelastic effect using smart piezoelectric bolt. Smart Mater Struct2019; 28(5): 055005.
10.
HuoLChenDKongQ, et al. Smart washer—A piezoceramic-based transducer to monitor looseness of bolted connection. Smart Mater Struct2017; 26(2): 025033.
11.
VDI Richtlinien VDI 2230. Systematic calculation of highly stressed bolted joints. Part 1: joints with one cylindrical bolt. Berlin: Verein Deutscher Ingenieur, 2015, pp.1–182. ICS 21.060.10.
12.
NF EN ISO 6789-1. Assembly tools for screws and nuts - Hand torque tools -Part 1: Requirements and methods for design conformance testing and quality conformance testing: minimum requirements for declaration of conformance. ICS: 25.140.30, 2017; FE162634ISO.
13.
NF EN ISO 6789-2. Assembly tools for screws and nuts - Hand torque tools - Part 2: Requirements for calibration and determination of measurement uncertainly, ICS: 25.140.30, 2017; FE169479ISO.
14.
IbrahimRAPettitCL. Uncertainties and dynamic problems of bolted joints and other fasteners. J Sound Vib2005; 279(3-5): 857–936.
15.
NassarSAGaneshmurthySRanganathanRM, et al. Effect of tightening speed on the torque-tension and wear pattern in bolted connections. J Press Vessel Technol2007; 129(3): 426–440.
16.
DragoniE. Effect of thread pitch and frictional coefficient on the stress concentration in metric nut-bolt connections. J Offshore Mech Arctic Eng1994; 116(1): 21–27.
17.
DragoniE. Effect of thread shape on screw stress concentration by photoelastic measurements. J Offshore Mech Arctic Eng1994; 116(4): 228–232.
18.
SakaiT. The friction coefficient of fasteners. Bull JSME1978; 21(152): 333–340.
19.
ZouQSunTSNassarSA, et al. Effect of lubrication on friction and torque-tension relationship in threaded fasteners. Int Jt Tribol Conf2006; 42592: 591–602.
20.
JiangYChangJ. An experimental study of the torque-tension relationship for bolted joints. Int J Mater Prod Technol2001; 16(4–5): 417.
21.
LiYLiuZWangY, et al. Research on preload of bolted joints tightening sequence-related relaxation considering elastic interaction between bolts. J Constr Steel Res2019; 160: 45–53.
22.
ZhengMLiYLiuZ, et al. A multi-bolt tightening method based on elastic interaction coefficient and gasket creep relaxation. Proc IMechE, Part C: J Mechanical Engineering Science2022; 236(17): 9639–9647.
23.
GrzejdaRParusA. Experimental studies of the process of tightening an asymmetric multi-bolted connection. IEEE Access2021; 9: 47372–47379.
24.
ChenDMaYHouB, et al. Tightening behavior of bolted joint with non-parallel bearing surface. Int J Mech Sci2019; 153: 240–253.
25.
HuJZhangKChengH, et al. An experimental investigation on interfacial behavior and preload response of composite bolted interference-fit joints under assembly and thermal conditions. Aerosp Sci Technol2020; 103: 105917.
26.
FriedrichCHubbertzH. Friction behavior and preload relaxation of fastening systems with composite structures. Compos Struct2014; 110: 335–341.
27.
AndriamampianinaJAlkatanFStéphanP, et al. Determining load distribution between the different rows of fasteners of a hybrid load transfer bolted joint assembly. Aerosp Sci Technol2012; 23(1): 312–320.
28.
AlkatanFAndriamampianinaJStéphanP, et al. Flexibility of hybrid load transfer assemblies: influence of tightening pre-stress. Aerosp Sci Technol2013; 25(1): 84–92.
29.
ZhuLHongJYangG, et al. Experimental study on initial loss of tension in bolted joints. Proc IMechE, Part C: J Mechanical Engineering Science2016; 230(10): 1685–1696.
30.
CardosoRCNascimentoBLThompsonFDF, et al. Study of bolted joint axial stiffness using finite element analyses, experimental tests, and analytical calculations. Proc IMechE, Part C: J Mechanical Engineering Science2020; 234(23): 4671–4681.
31.
TanLYanCYiH, et al. Torsional and compressive properties of bolted joint under forward-reverse tightening. Proc IMechE, Part C: J Mechanical Engineering Science2022; 237(9): 2184–2200.
32.
EcclesWSherringtonIArnellRD. Frictional changes during repeated tightening of zinc plated threaded fasteners. Tribol Int2010; 43(4): 700–707.
33.
ChapmanINewnhamJWallaceP. The tightening of bolts to yield and their performance under load. J Vib Acoust Stress Reliab Des1986; 108(2): 213–221. 1986.
34.
HousariBAlkelaniAYocumG. Development of tightening specification for post yield angle control tightening strategy. In: Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference. Vol. 55010. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2012, pp. 123–129. doi:10.1115/PVP2012-78024
DingerG. Dynamic modeling and simulation of the screwing behavior of thread forming screws. J Manuf Process2015; 20(1): 374–379.
37.
JuhyunNDongwonKJe HoonO. Investigation of the fastening behavior of self-tapping plastic joints with various supporting ribs. J Manuf Process2022; 82: 425–433.
38.
ShojiYKumakuraSSawaT. Non-loosening performance of plastically pre-deformed nuts under cyclic loads. In: Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference, Vol. 55010. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, July 15–19, 2012, pp. 353–357. doi:10.1115/PVP2012-78517
39.
KellermannRKleinH. Untersuchungen über den Einfluß der Reibung auf Vorspannung und Anzugsmoment von Schraubenverbindungen. Konstr1955; 7(2): 54–68.
WangYQWuJKLiuHB, et al. Analysis of elastic interaction stiffness and its effect on bolt preloading. Int J Mech Sci2017; 130: 307–314.
44.
DolsSParedesMMorgueP. Quality evaluation of bolted assemblies through tightening. In: Joint conference on mechanical, design engineering & advanced manufacturing, Toulouse, France, 2014, pp. 190–196. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-26121-8_12
