Determination of forces in bolted joints

We propose a new approach to the determination of forces applied to a bolt in a tightened joint taking into account the variations of its stiffness and present the results of experimental investigations of the stress-strain diagrams of bolts for different values of tightening forces applied to the joints. The proposed procedure for the determination of forces acting on the bolt in the joint subjected to the action of variable loads takes into account the behavior of the stiffness of the joint regarded as a function of the load and tightening forces. We analyze different methods aimed at the determination of forces applied to the bolt according to the results of fatigue tests of bolts in tightened simple joints and present preliminary initial data required for the analysis of variable forces acting on the bolts in tightened joints. By using a new approach, we propose basic principles of design of economically efficient joints.