Effects of the Interface Configurations on the Characteristics of Bolted Joints : the case where clamped parts are T-flanges

Abstract

In designing a bolted joint, it is important to discuss the sealing performance and to estimate the force ratio, that is the ratio of an increment of bolt axial force to a load. Up to now, in order to improve the sealing performance raised faces of interface have been used. But the uses of these interfaces depend on experiences and the theoretical grounds are not clear. In the present paper, in the case of T-flanges having raised faces the sealing performance is analyzed by two dimensional theory of elasticity and point matching method. Then, the force ratio is analyzed. Moreover, with the application of the load a bending moment is produced in bolts and the stress is caused by this bending moment. The bending moment is also analyzed. In order to verify these analyses experiments are carried out. Analytical results are in a fairly good agreement with experimental ones.