Joints—Fastener Stiffness

Thus the stiffness constant of the bolt is equivalent to the

stiffnesses of two springs in series.

(8-15)

the spring rates of the threaded and unthreaded portions of

the bolt in the clamped zone are, respectively,

(8-16)

Substituting these stiffnesses in Eq. (8-15) gives

Fig. 8-13 A bolted connection loaded in tension
by the forces P. Note the use of two washers. (8-17)
Note how the threads extend into the body of
the connection. This is usual and is desired. l is
the grip of the connection. The estimated effective stiffness of the bolt or cap screw in the
clamped zone.
Joints—Member Stiffness
There may be more than two members included in the grip of the fastener. All together these act like compressive springs in
series, and hence the total spring rate of the members is

(8-18)

Fig. 8–15 Compression of a member with the equivalent elastic

properties represented by a frustum of a hollow cone. Here, l
represents the grip length.
Thus the spring rate or stiffness of this frustum is

(8-19)

With 𝛼 = 30°, this becomes

(8-20)

we learn that 𝑘𝑚 = 𝑘/2. Using the grip as 𝑙 =

2𝑡 and 𝑑𝑤 as the diameter of the washer face, from
Eq. (18) we find the spring rate of the members to
be

(8-21)
Tension Joints—The External Load
The nomenclature used is:
(d)
and
(e)
where
(f)
is called the stiffness constant of the joint. The resultant
bolt load is
(8-24)
and the resultant load on the connected members is

(a)
(8-25)

(b)

or
(c)
Relating Bolt Torque to Bolt Tension

The torque required to produce a given preload is given by: A load factor guarding against joint separation.

(8-27) (8-30)

(8-26)
It is recommended for both static and fatigue loading
(torque coefficient) that the following be used for preload:

Statically Loaded Tension Joint with Preload (8-31)

The yielding factor of safety guarding against the static
stress exceeding the proof strength is
(8-32)
(8-28)

A load factor, which is applied only to the load P as a

guard against overloading.

(8-29)
Gasketed Joints Fatigue Loading of Tension Joints
For a general case with a constant preload, a bolt will
If a full gasket is present in the joint, the gasket pressure
experience fluctuating forces.
p is found by dividing the force in the member by the
gasket area per bolt. Thus, for N bolts,
The alternating stress experienced by a bolt is:
(8-33)
(8-35)

In full-gasketed joints uniformity of pressure on the The midrange stress experienced by a bolt is:
gasket is important. Bolts should be placed at least three
diameters apart. A rough rule for bolt spacing around a
(8-36)
bolt circle is

(8-34)
 (8–38)

(8–39)

(8–40)

If the preload is considered to be constant, the load line

relationship between the alternating and midrange
Fig. 8–20 Designer’s fatigue diagram showing a stresses can be treated as
Goodman failure line and a commonly used load
line for a constant preload and a fluctuating load. (8–41)

The fatigue factor of safety is given by

(8–37)
To obtain the fatigue factor of safety using each of
Gerber:
the typical failure criteria,
(8–46)
Goodman:
(8–42)

ASME-elliptic:
Gerber:
(8–43)
(8–47)

ASME-elliptic:
(8–44) Note that Eqs. (8–45) to (8–47) are only applicable for
repeated loads.

Fatigue factors of safety for each failure criteria in a After solving for the fatigue factor of safety, you should also
repeated loading situation. check the possibility of yielding, using the proof strength

Goodman:
(8–51)
(8–45)
Bolted and Riveted Joints Loaded in Shear
The bending stress in the members or in the rivet
is, neglecting stress concentration,
Figure 8–23
Modes of failure in shear
(8–52)
loading of a bolted or
riveted connection: (a)
The stress in the rivet is
shear loading; (b)
bending of rivet; (c) (8–53)
shear of rivet; (d) tensile
failure of members; (e)
bearing of rivet on The tensile stress is
members or bearing of
members on rivet; ( f ) (8–54)
shear tear-out; (g)
tensile tear-out. This gives for the stress

(8–55)