An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effects of clamped length and loading direction on the self-loosening behavior of bolted joints by using specially designed fixtures. The experiments mimicked two plates jointed by an class 10.9 bolt and a nut. The joints were subjected to cyclic external loading. A constant preload of was used for all the experiments conducted. During an experiment, the relative displacement between the two clamped plates, , was a controlling parameter. The reduction in clamping force, the applied transverse load, and the nut rotation were measured cycle by cycle. The relationship between, , the amplitude of the relative displacement between the two clamped plates, and, , the number of loading cycles to loosening is referred to as self-loosening curve and was obtained for different clamped lengths and applied load directions. Similar to a fatigue curve, an endurance limit can be identified from the self-loosening curve. It was found that increasing the clamped length can enhance the self-loosening endurance limits in terms of the controlled relative displacement of the two clamped plates. However, the load carrying capability was not influenced significantly due to the thickness of the clamped plates. For a given bolted jointed structure, an angle of the external load from the pure shearing direction resulted in an increase in self-loosening resistance.
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August 2006
Research Papers
An Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Clamped Length and Loading Direction on Self-Loosening of Bolted Joints
Ming Zhang,
Ming Zhang
Mechanical Engineering (312),
University of Nevada
, Reno, NV 89557
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Chu-Hwa Lee
Chu-Hwa Lee
Ford Motor Company
, Advanced Engineering Center, 20000 Rotunda Drive, Dearborn, MI 48121
Search for other works by this author on:
Ming Zhang
Mechanical Engineering (312),
University of Nevada
, Reno, NV 89557
Yanyao Jiang
Chu-Hwa Lee
Ford Motor Company
, Advanced Engineering Center, 20000 Rotunda Drive, Dearborn, MI 48121J. Pressure Vessel Technol. Aug 2006, 128(3): 388-393 (6 pages)
Published Online: July 21, 2005
Article history
Received:
May 24, 2004
Revised:
July 21, 2005
Citation
Zhang, M., Jiang, Y., and Lee, C. (July 21, 2005). "An Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Clamped Length and Loading Direction on Self-Loosening of Bolted Joints." ASME. J. Pressure Vessel Technol. August 2006; 128(3): 388–393. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2217972
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