Scribd
Upload
36 views

Forces On Bolts

The document discusses bolt yield strength and how overstretching bolts beyond their yield strength can cause them to not return to their original length when unloaded. It recommends applying bolt loads between 50-100% of bolt yield strength to ensure the bolts act as springs but are not overloaded, as overloading bolts can damage gaskets and flanges. Minimum bolt load should be at 50% of yield strength, but loads of 80-100% are also often used if assembly methods are accurate.

Uploaded by

kapsarc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views

Forces On Bolts

The document discusses bolt yield strength and how overstretching bolts beyond their yield strength can cause them to not return to their original length when unloaded. It recommends applying bolt loads between 50-100% of bolt yield strength to ensure the bolts act as springs but are not overloaded, as overloading bolts can damage gaskets and flanges. Minimum bolt load should be at 50% of yield strength, but loads of 80-100% are also often used if assembly methods are accurate.

Uploaded by

kapsarc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

A=Bolt (Spring) Stretch; B=Opposite Force Pulling Flanges (Spring) Together

Figure 8: Bolts acting like springs

Bolt yield strength is a measure of the bolt load required to stretch the bolt and still allow
it to spring back to its original length. If the bolt is overstretched and is loaded beyond its
yield strength, the bolt will not "spring back" when the load is removed. Continued
tightening of the bolts will not necessarily increase gasket load or stop a gasketed joint
leak and may lead to bolt failure. Caution should be used to avoid overloading bolts which
can cause them to stretch beyond their yield strength and actually result in lower than
expected loads exerted on the gasket.

The minimum bolt load should be at fifty percent (50%) of bolt yield strength to ensure the
"spring" is stretched enough. The bolt load typically used is at eighty percent (80%) or
even one hundred percent (100%) of bolt yield; if the calculation method and assembly is
very accurate. Modern recommended calculation methods such as EN 1591-1, include
tolerances on assembly methods for example, so the use of one hundred percent (100%)
bolt yield can be acceptable. However, this recommendation should be tempered by the
amount of gasket and flange stresses generated and ensuring that the applied load will
not overload, damaging the gasket or flange. The flange connection will lose compressive

19

You might also like