Bolt calculation

Basics | Standards | Methods | Digital tools

WHITEPAPER Bolt calculation

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WHITEPAPER Bolt calculation

Content
01 Introduction

• Abstract
• Five reasons for the calculation of bolted joints

Pages 3 - 4

02 Basics

• Calculation of bolted joints according to VDI 2230

• Common joints and special cases
• Calculation of multibolted joints in compliance with standards

Pages 5 - 7

03 Targets

• Time saving: No more formulas

• Standardization
• Easy usability
• Targeted optimization of bolted joints
• Variant construction for new opportunities
• Approximation method for the ideal threaded fastener
• Digitalization of engineering

Pages 8 - 11

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WHITEPAPER Bolt calculation

01 Introduction
Abstract

Spreadsheet analysis or calculator: These are tools that have been tried and tested
for decades for the calculation of bolted joints. But CAx technologies are also finding
their way into this field - with a versatile calculation tool for the design of safe and
reliable bolted joints in accordance with VDI guideline 2230. This tool also provides
additional functions, such as the “recalculation” of threaded fasteners and the
iterative optimisation of available bolted joints.

Five reasons for the calculation of bolted joints

The design of connections is one of the “core competencies” of most designers who
work in mechanical construction. Previous generations often relied on their own
practical knowledge. Today, they calculate each individual or at least each critical
bolted joint, and there are several good reasons for this.

First of all: The requirements for the safety and productivity of machines are
increasing steadily. The malfunction of a bolted joint is not tolerated - either by
the mechanical engineer or by the machine user. The same goes for vehicles and
systems.

Second of all: At the same time, designers strive to build all the components exactly
according to the individual requirements (i.e. load spectra). The components and
also the bolted joint should not be significantly oversized, but “correctly” sized.
Otherwise, other construction targets such as lightweight construction, efficiency
and sustainability will not be sufficiently met. In other words: The joint should not be
as safe as possible, but as safe as required, and with the highest reliability.

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Third of all: Sets of rules are available for dimensioning and calculation, which the
designer can orient himself/herself with. The VDI guideline 2230 must primarily be
mentioned here. Along with DIN EN and ISO calculation methods, Eurocode 3 as
well as industry-specific sets of rules are also worth mentioning.

Relevant technical standards and guidelines

in the area of bolt calculation

Fourth of all: Mechanical engineers and components suppliers are more and more
frequently confronted with extensive documentation obligations. The verification of
bolted joints suitability is also required for the respective application. This is primarily
the case for new machines, but can also be requested for existing machine series.
In this case, a recalculation also requires a verification.

Fifth of all: Lastly, designers have modern calculation tools at their disposal
today which are based on the relevant guidelines and allow a reliable and
standard-compliant as well as time-saving calculation of bolted joints.

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02 Basics
Calculation of bolted joints according to VDI 2230

MDESIGN bolt demonstrates which functions these tools provide. This calculation
and information software is one of the many libraries of the MDESIGN family for the
calculation of machine and drive elements. With around 35.000 users, this software
is widespread around the world.

The target and the purpose of MDESIGN bolt is to guide the designer through a
safe calculation of a single bolt connection according to the VDI guideline 2230. In
this guideline, processes on the pre-dimensioning of bolt nominal diameters and on
systematic recalculation of bolt connections have been published for many years,
and this is periodically revised. Even if this guideline has no binding effect, in the
construction world this has become a recognised basis for the calculation of bolt
connections, and not only in Germany.

With MDESIGN bolt, designers have a user interface at their disposal in which they
enter the relevant environmental conditions and loads of the bolted joint which is to
be built or verified. This procedure is facilitated by an almost intuitive operation with
aids, suggestions and information. For instance, many text and graphics aids are
available for tightening factors, friction coefficients and factors for load applications.

Context-sensitive support with the definition of

relevant boundary conditions

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The integrated technology and material database simplifies bolt calculation: Many
common parameters for the calculation (strength grades, material properties of
the clamped components or factors for load application) are already stored, and all
customary bolt types on the market can be calculated.

Database with standardized properties for

numerous bolt materials

Common joints and special cases

However, at the same time, MDESIGN bolt is also ideal for special cases of bolted
joints. The designer can insert or read individual materials and bolt geometries
or inch-based bolts. In addition other standards are taken into consideration - for
example technical rules from the Eurocode 3 to design and calculate steel bolts.

Furthermore, MDESIGN bolt also calculates eccentric load cases and various
parameters such as the surrounding temperatures of the bolt connection can be
considered. In this way, the calculation tool takes into account the fact that the
coefficient of thermal expansion of the components or materials used affects the
safety of the bolted joint.

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Calculation of multibolted joints in compliance with

standards

With MDESIGN multibolt, a tool is available for the calculation of multibolted joints
as an extension of MDESIGN bolt. The basis of this is VDI 2230 Part 2. By using the
Finite Element Method (FEM) the designer can indicate the framework conditions
of the joint and determine the occurring loads and strengths, especially for the bolt
subject to the highest load. The FEM is linked to analytical calculation methods of the
VDI 2230 for many standard cases. For selected bolt sections, MDESIGN multibolt
takes on the large part of the complex and time-consuming calculation task, which
otherwise requires a sophisticated FEM software.

Calculation of highly stressed multibolted joints

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03 Targets
Time saving: No more formulas

Using the MDESIGN bolt calculation tool creates the conditions for a significantly
more modern, time-saving working method. The designer neither has to look up
formularies nor calculate the desired values with a calculator or Excel. Instead, he/
she inserts the values based on which the bolt connection is designed and receives
a result in compliance with the standards. MDESIGN bolt takes on the calculation.
Numerical and analytical calculation processes are applied here. The result is an
easy as well as safe calculation of bolted joints which can be integrated into the
documentation of the machine or system.

Standardization

Companies’ desire for standardization is frequently their main reason for using
MDESIGN bolt and other MDESIGN libraries. These tools simplify and standardize
not only the calculation of machine elements. They also improve the safety level of
the entire construction and form the basis for consistent documentation, which can
be issued in various languages and guarantees the transparency of the machine for
the user, as information is given on the standards according to which the bolted joint
and other machine elements are selected and built.

Easy usability

Despite the complex calculation method and the many options, calculating bolted
joints with MDESIGN is very easy from the designer’s point of view. The fact that
all libraries and modules of MDESIGN (with which shafts, shaft-hub connections,
gears, springs, welded joints and much more can be calculated) are equipped with a

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uniform user interface also contributes to this. This simplifies work significantly.
But hardly any designer builds bolted joints predominantly or exclusively. Thats why
MDESIGN is used - if required - quickly and efficiently for other machine elements.

Performance scope of tools for the calculation of

machine elements and component groups

Targeted optimization of bolted joints

Along with these benefits, there are others which are just as or even more important,
as they open up brand new opportunities. For instance, the engineer has the chance
to “recalculate” existing connections specifically with MDESIGN bolt with the aim of
improving them. This can determine whether, to name but a few examples, one can
use a bolt with a smaller diameter or reduce the length of engagement in a specific
case.

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Variant construction for new opportunities

Another possibility resulting from the use of MDESIGN bolt (and of other MDESIGN
modules) is variant construction, for which there is an internal template. With
this, alternative bolted joints can be calculated carefully and compared. Various
parameters such as size, material and bolt type may vary until the best solution is
found for the respective threaded fastener. Individual contributing factors such as
friction can also be modified and optimised in this manner. This is an advantage
which should not be underestimated compared to the “good old” bolt calculation
with Excel, which does not provide these possibilities.

Parametrical optimization with modern CAx tools

Approximation method for the ideal threaded fastener

But the functions that MDESIGN bolt provides for construction optimization go
further. There are also templates for serial and parameter analysis, so that the
engineer can approach the optimal construction and choose the optimal bolted joint
in each case.

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Digitalization of engineering

With these properties, MDESIGN bolt simplifies the calculation of bolted joints and
assists the engineer with the development of machines, vehicles and systems.
This helps reduce the construction time and shorten the “time to market”. At the
same time, this increases the safety level because the respective safety checks are
performed.

In many mechanical engineering construction departments, MDESIGN bolt has

already proved successful as a modern instrument for bolt calculation and for
verification in accordance with VDI 2230. As part of digitalization in construction,
this calculation tool creates an essential condition for a simplified calculation of
machine elements in compliance with the standards. At the same time, all MDESIGN
modules allow the use of construction data across components and disciplines and
thus also simplify the documentation. Thus MDESIGN becomes an integral part of
CAD and PLM systems.

Your personal appointment:

Bolt calculation

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Speed up your engineering with the proven MDESIGN
libraries for the calculation of machine elements

Design | Calculation | Optimization | Documentation

Your contact for successful digital engineering:

Dipl.-Ing. Reinhard Blömer

Technical managing director
[email protected]
+ 49 234 30703-60

MDESIGN Vertriebs GmbH Editing:

Königsallee 45 Dipl.-Ing. Reinhard Blömer

44789 Bochum Layout & Design:

Germany M.A. Nicola Grade

Phone: +49 234 30703-60 Pictures:

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