Chapter Ten

Bolt Pretension

Bolt Pretension

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Whenever you model a bolted structure, it might be important to include the pretension (or preload) in the bolt caused by the tightening of the bolt.

ANSYS provides a convenient way to simulate bolt pretension:

Pretension elements PRETS179 Automatic pretension mesh generation

Load management for pretension sequence of multiple bolts

Stresses due to specified pretension in bolt

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Bolt Pretension

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Although most pretension analyses involve contact elements to simulate contact between the bolt and the surrounding structure, we will avoid the contact issues here and focus on how to "pretension the bolt." In this Chapter, the following Topics are covered:
A. PRETS179 Element B. Typical Procedure C. Workshop

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Bolt Pretension

A. PRETS179 Element

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Pretension elements (PRETS179) apply the specified preload across a pretension section.
Surrounding Structure Pretension Node Preloaded Bolt

Pretension Section (brick or tet meshes)

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Bolt Pretension

PRETS179 Element
Features of the pretension element:
A set of pretension elements is identified as a section. 2-D or 3-D line element that acts like a "hook" connecting two halves of a bolt. Nodes I, J are the end nodes, usually coincident. Node K is the pretension node: Location is arbitrary. Has one DOF: UX. Used to define the preload, as an FX force or UX displacement. Actual line of action is in pretension load direction
J

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Preload direction

K Node I Pretension section

Bolt solids, shells, or beams

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Bolt Pretension

PRETS179 Element
Features of the pretension element (continued):

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Preload direction is constant it does not update for rotations No material properties or key options Underlying bolt elements may be solids, shells, or beams, lower or higher order. Elements created automatically using GUI-based procedure.

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Bolt Pretension

B. Typical Procedure
Five main steps:

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

1. Import or create the geometry, including the bolt(s) and the surrounding structure. 2. Mesh all parts. 3. Create the pretension elements. 4. Apply loads and solve using multiple load steps: Load step 1 for the bolt preload Load step 2 to fix the bolt length Load step 3 for other loads on the structure 5. Review results.

We will expand on steps 3 and 4 next.

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure
Creating the Pretension Elements

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

After all parts of the structure, including the bolt(s), have been meshed, the next step is to create the pretension elements. Two options:
Using PSMESH Fastener must be meshed as one piece. PSMESH will cut the fastener in two and generate the pretension section together with the pretension elements. Elements at coincident nodes, EINTF (not discussed here) The fastener must be meshed in two separate pieces. Requires a matching node pattern.

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

The menus provide a wide variety of methods to create the pretension mesh.
Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Elements > Pretension > Pretensn Mesh >

We will illustrate the procedure using the With Options > pick.

ANSYS splits the bolt shown and inserts the necessary pretension elements.

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure
Follow the menu prompts

Training Manual

Select the option to Divide at Node Picked Elements +

Using the Boxoptions, select the elements where the bolt should be split.

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Pick a node to indicate where to section the bolt.

A pretension node will be February 20, 2004 created at this location. Inventory #002030
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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure
Next, fill in the dialog box Assign a section number and name Specify the preload direction (Y-axis points along the bolt axis in this case) Optional specifications include:

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

TOL= allows nodes locate slightly above/below the separation to be grouped properly TYPE = type number for pretension elements (automatically defined if it is not supplied) ECOMP = name of component to be composed if new pretension elements NCOMP = name of component to be composed of nodes in new pretension elements

Pressing OK will separate the elements of the bolt into two unconnected groups, tied together with pretension elements.

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure
The output window or file will list a summary of important pretension specifications after each PSMESH execution
Pretension Section ID Pretension node number Pretension direction

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

9 pretension elements created A Plot of the FE model will show a visible split along existing element boundaries representing where the pretension elements have been added

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure
You can undo a PSMESH operation as follows:
Preprocessor > Modeling > Delete > Pre-tens Elemnts

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

The GUI automatically deletes the pretension elements and merges the nodes at the pretension section.
However, the pretension node (K node) is not deleted.
Note: if you dont pick the pretension node, only individual pretension elements attached to that node will be deleted.

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure
Pretension Load Application When a physical bolt is pretensioned:
Turning the nut reduces the unstretched grip length of the bolt, thereby inducing pretension

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

When the desired pretension is achieved and the wrench is removed, the new unstretched grip length becomes locked

Typical ANSYS pretension loading procedure represents this same sequence

First, apply the specified pretension (usually a specified force) in one load step Then, lock the pretension section displacement (lock the shortened grip length) in a subsequent load step. Once all bolts are pretensioned and locked, apply external loads in the final load step

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure
Stiff plate

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Soft gasket
bolt1 bolt2 bolt3

Pretensioning and locking a large number of bolts in a specified sequence is made easy with the load-management tool.
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Pretnsn Sectn Section to be preloaded first

Pretension load to be applied to this bolt Semi-automated locking of pretension displacement in the next load step

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure
Continue the loading sequence for the other two sections:

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Incrementing the loadstep number controls the pretensioning sequence

Semi-automatic restraint of the free-body bolt pieces Tied together - applies a displacement constraint of zero until preload is applied Axial sliding - offers no resistance in axial direction until preload is applied February 20, 2004 0.1% of force - applies 0.1% of used defined force until preload is applied Inventory #002030

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Multiple loadings (up to 15) can also be applied to the same pretension section(s) simulating a torquing sequence.

Multiple loads on highlighted section bolt_1

Or by Command Input:
SLOAD,1,pl01,TINY,FORC,1000,2,3 SLOAD,1,pl02,,FORC,10000,6,7

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure
In solution, ANSYS automatically applies and locks the loads in the specified load step every time you issue a SOLVE.

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

For the three bolts shown in the previous example, you would need to solve seven times to apply the specified pretension sequence. SOLVE (LS1, initial untorqued assembly) SOLVE (LS2, applies the preload to bolt1) SOLVE (LS3, fixes the preload displacement for bolt 1 and tightens bolt2) SOLVE (LS4, locks bolt 2 and tightens bolt3) SOLVE (LS5, locks bolt3) SOLVE (LS6, applies 2nd preload to bolt1) SOLVE (LS7, fixes the new preload displacement for bolt 1)
With the preload applied, apply external loads acting on the overall structure.

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Bolt Pretension

...Typical Procedure

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Deformed geometry plot and bolt forces for the first pass of bolt preloads (LS1 thru LS6) in previous example

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Bolt Pretension

C. Workshop

Training Manual

Advanced Contact & Bolt Pretension

Please refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on: W10A. Bolt Pretension.

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