NCSX

SPECIFICATION

Handbook for Bolted Joint Design

NCSX-CRIT-BOLT-00

20February2007

Preparedby:__________________________________________________________________________
HM.Fan

Concur:______________________________________________________________________________
D.Williamson,ModularCoilSystem(WBS14)Manager

Concur:______________________________________________________________________________
B.Nelson,RLMforStellaratorCoreSystems(WBS1)DesignandProcurements

Concur:______________________________________________________________________________
L.Dudek,RLMforStellaratorCoreSystems(WBS1)OnsiteFabrication

Concur:______________________________________________________________________________
P.Heitzenroeder,PPPLMechanicalEngineeringDivisionHead

Concur:______________________________________________________________________________
J.Levine,ES&H

Concur:______________________________________________________________________________
J.Malsbury,QualityAssurance

Approvedby:_________________________________________________________________________
W.Reiersen,EngineeringManager

ControlledDocument

Thisisacontrolleddocument.ChecktheNCSXEngineeringWebpriortousetoassurethatthisdocumentiscurrent.
HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

RecordofRevisions

Revision Date ECP DescriptionofChange

Rev.0 2/20/07 Initialissue

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

TableofContents
1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................................1
2 Boltedjointdesignmethodology..........................................................................................................................1
2.1 Criticalstressareasofboltthreads[1]................................................................................................................1
2.1.1 Tensilestressareaoftheexternalthread(bolt)..........................................................................................1
2.1.2 Shearareaoftheexternalthread(bolt).......................................................................................................1
2.1.3 Shearareaoftheinternalthread.................................................................................................................2
2.2 Requiredlengthofthreadengagement[1]..........................................................................................................2
2.3 Preloadedbolts....................................................................................................................................................3
2.3.1 Recommendedpreload................................................................................................................................4
2.3.2 Methodsofapplyingandmeasuringpreload..............................................................................................4
2.3.3 Preloadrelaxation.......................................................................................................................................5
2.3.4 ApplicationSpecificTesting[2].................................................................................................................6
2.3.5 Retorquingofpreloadedbolts[2]..............................................................................................................7
2.3.6 Jointstiffness...............................................................................................................................................7
2.3.7 Changeinpreload.......................................................................................................................................8
2.3.7.1 Differentcoefficientsofthermalexpansionandtemperaturechange[3]...............................................8
2.3.7.2 Changeinelasticitywithtemperaturechange........................................................................................8
2.3.7.3 Creepinthejointmaterials.....................................................................................................................9
2.3.7.4 Externalload[3]......................................................................................................................................9
2.3.8 Relationshipbetweenboltfatiguelifeandboltpreload.............................................................................9
2.3.9 PreloadforBoltsinShear.........................................................................................................................10
2.3.10 BoltBending.............................................................................................................................................10
3 Designcriteria.....................................................................................................................................................10
3.1 Boltstrengthcriteria..........................................................................................................................................10
3.2 Jointstrengthcriteria.........................................................................................................................................11
3.3 Boltfatiguecriteria...........................................................................................................................................12
4 References............................................................................................................................................................12
5 Appendices...........................................................................................................................................................13
5.1 Screwthreadterminology.................................................................................................................................13
5.2 Unifiedthreadstandard.....................................................................................................................................13
5.2.1 Origins.......................................................................................................................................................13
5.2.2 Technicalinformation...............................................................................................................................14
5.2.2.1 Formandpitch......................................................................................................................................14

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

5.2.2.2 Gauging.................................................................................................................................................14
5.2.2.3 Classofthread.......................................................................................................................................15
5.2.3 Relatedinformation...................................................................................................................................15
5.2.3.1 Externallinks........................................................................................................................................15
5.3 Unifiedscrewthreaddimensions......................................................................................................................16

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

1 INTRODUCTION

Thepurposeofthisdocumentistodefinethemethodologytobeusedinevaluatingtheperformanceofaboltedjoint
on the NCSX project. The methodology is derived from engineering practices discussed in the referenced
documents. ThishandbookiscomplementaryandsupplementaltotheNCSXStructuralandCryogenicDesign
Criteria(NCSXCRITCRYO00).
DesignequationsaretakenfromthereferencedocumentsinwhichEnglishunitsareused.

2 BOLTEDJOINTDESIGNMETHODOLOGY

2.1 Criticalstressareasofboltthreads[1]

Thecriticalareasofstressofmatingthreadsare:

The tensile stress area of the external thread (bolt)

The shear area of the external thread (bolt)

The shear area of the internal thread (hole)

2.1.1 Tensilestressareaoftheexternalthread(bolt)

Forsteelsofupto100,000psiultimatetensilestrength,thetensilestressareaoftheboltthreadA tis
2
0.9743
A D

t
4 n

where
D=basicmajordiameterofthethread(in)
n=numberofthreadsperinch

Forsteelsofover100,000psiultimatetensilestrength,thetensilestressareaoftheboltthreadis
2
E 0.16238

s , min
A
t
2 n
where
Es,min=minimumpitchdiameterofexternalthread(in)

2.1.2 Shearareaoftheexternalthread(bolt)

Theshearareaoftheexternalthread(bolt),whichdependsprincipallyontheminordiameterofthetappedhole,is

1

As L e K n , max 0.57735 n E s , min K n , max
2
where
Kn,max=maximumminordiameterofinternalthread(in)
Le=fastenerengagementlength(in)

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

2.1.3 Shearareaoftheinternalthread

Theshearareaoftheinternalthread(hole),whichdependsprincipallyonthemajordiameteroftheexternalthread,
is

1

A
n
L
e
D
s , min 0.57735 n D E

s , min n , max
2
where
Ds,min=minimummajordiameterofexternalthread(in)
En,max=maximumpitchdiameterofinternalthread(in)

2.2 Requiredlengthofthreadengagement[1]

Iffailureofathreadedassemblyshouldoccur,itispreferableforthebolttobreakratherthanhaveeitherthe
externalorinternalthreadstripbecausethefailureismucheasiertodetect.Inotherwords,thelengthofengagement
of matingthreads shouldbe sufficient tocarry thefull loadnecessary tobreak thescrew without the threads
stripping.
Ifmatinginternalandexternalthreadsaremanufacturedofmaterialshavingequaltensilestrengths,thentoprevent
strippingoftheexternalthread,thelengthofengagementshouldbenotlessthan

2 At
L e , min
1

K n , max 0.57735 n E s , min K n , max
2
Thisisequivalenttosayingthattheshearareamustbeatleasttwicethetensileareainordertoensurethatstripping
ofthethreaddoesnotoccur.(Thisvalueisslightlylargerthanrequiredandthusprovidesasmallfactorofsafety
againststripping.)
Iftheinternalthreadismadeofmaterialoflowerstrengththantheexternalthread,strippingoftheinternalthread
maytakeplacebeforethescrewbreaks.Todeterminewhetherthisconditionexists,itisnecessarytocalculatethe
factorJfortherelativestrengthoftheexternalandinternalthreadswhere
A T
s s
J
An Tn

where
Ts=tensilestrengthoftheexternalthread(bolt)material(psi)
Tn=tensilestrengthoftheinternalthread(hole)material(psi).
IfthefactorJislessthanorequalto1,thelengthofengagementisadequatetopreventstrippingoftheinternal
thread. IfJisgreaterthan1,therequiredlengthofengagementQtopreventstrippingoftheinternalthreadis
obtainedbymultiplyingtheminimumlengthofengagementLe,minbyJ.
Q J L e , min

Foraboltedjointwithatappedhole,ifthematerialoftappedholehaslowerstrengththanthebolt,thethread
engagementlengthshouldbeatleastequaltoQinordertopreventthestrippingofinternalthreadbeforethefailure
ofbolt.IfthethreadengagementlengthislessthenQ,themagnitudeoftheboltpreloadmustbereduced.
Equivalently,therearethreefailurestoconsider:

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

Bolt breaks before threads strip (engagement is adequate)

Threads strip at the roots of the bolt teeth (nut material is stronger, engagement is inadequate)

Threads strip at the roots of the nut threads (bolt material is stronger, engagement is inadequate)
Forthebolttobreakbeforethethreadsstrip,thefollowingtwoconditionsmustexist

T
s
T A A
s t s
2

T
n
T A A
s t n
2

Iftheboltdoesnotbreakbeforethethreadsstrip,thenthethreadswillstripattherootoftheboltteethif

Ts A s Tn An

Otherwise,thethreadswillstripattherootsofthenutthreads.
TheforceFrequiredtoeitherstripthethreadsofaboltornutorbreaktheboltis

T T

s n
F min Ts At , As , An .
2 2
2.3 Preloadedbolts

Highpreloadtensionincreasesjointstrength,createsfrictionbetweenpartstoresistshear,andimprovesthefatigue
resistanceofboltedconnections.Boltpreloadinjointsshouldbehighenoughtomaintainjointmembersincontact
andincompression.Lossofcompressioninajointmayresultinlooseningoffastenersunderconditionsofcyclic
loading,andreductionoffastenerfatiguelife.

2.3.1 Recommendedpreload

Thepreloadshouldbesettoavoidpermanentdeformationinthebolt.TherecommendedmaximumpreloadP 0is
P0 , max c u At S p , s

where
Sp,s=proofstrengthofbolt(psi)
cu=0.75forreusableconnections,0.9forpermanentconnections.
Theproofstrengthisthestressthatcanbetoleratedwithoutanypermanentdeformationandcanbeapproximatedby
85%oftheyieldstrength.

2.3.2 Methodsofapplyingandmeasuringpreload

Oncetherequiredpreloadhasbeendetermined,oneofthebestwaystobesurethataboltisproperlytensionedisto
measureitstensiondirectlywithastraingage.Thechoiceofmethodoftensioningshouldbebasedontherequired
accuracy and relative costs. The accuracy of various bolt preload application methods has been tabulated in
literature.ExamplesareshowninTable1andTable2.Significantdifferencesinrecommendedvaluescanbeseen.

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

Table1Accuracyofboltpreloadapplicationmethods[1]

Method Accuracy
By feel 35%
Torque wrench 25%
Turn-of-nut 15%
Preload indicating washer 10%
Strain gages 1%
Computer-controlled wrench
below yield (turn-of-nut) 15%
yield-point sensing 8%
Bolt elongation 3-5%
Ultrasonic sensing 1%

Table2Accuracyofboltpreloadapplicationmethods[2]

Method Accuracy
Torque measurement
Un-lubricated bolts 35%
Cad-plated bolts 30%
Lubricated bolts 25%
Hydraulic tensioners 15%
Preload indicating washers 10%
Ultrasonic (UT) measuring 10%
devices
Bolt elongation measurement 5%
Instrumented bolts 5%

Torqueisrelativelyeasytomeasurewithatorquewrench,soitisthemostfrequentlyusedindicatorofbolttension.
Unfortunately,atorquewrenchdoesnotmeasurebolttensionaccurately,mainlybecauseitdoesnottakefriction
intoaccount.Thefrictiondependsonbolt,nut,andwashermaterial,surfacesmoothness,degreeoflubrication,and
thenumberoftimesabolthasbeeninstalled.Fastenermanufacturersoftenprovideinformationfordetermining
torquerequirementsfortighteningvariousbolts.Ifthisinformationisnotavailable,themaximumandminimum
expectedpreloadsforboltdiameterinthejointcanbeestimatedusingtheequationsbelow[3].
T
P0 , nom
KD

P0 , max P0 , nom 1 u
P0 , min P0 , nom 1 u Prelax

where
P0,nom=nominalboltpreload
Po,max=maximumexpectedboltpreload(lb)
Po,min=minimumexpectedboltpreload(lb)
T=appliedtorque(inlb)
K=typicalnutfactor,0.11to0.15forlubricatedfastenersand0.2forunlubricatedfasteners,
D=nominalfastener(shank)diameter(in)

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

u=preloaduncertaintyfactor,typically25%
Prelax=axialboltpreloadloss(lb),typically5%ofPo,min
Asanalternativetothetypicalnutfactormethodofdeterminingpreload,thetorquepreloadrelationshipscanbe
determinedexperimentally. Here,thetorquepreloadrelationshipsare determinedbydirect measurementstaken
frominstrumentedjointspecimens.Statisticaldataisrecordedforthetorquerequiredtoachieveadesiredboltforce.
Preloadlosscanalsobemeasuredovertime.
Boltelongationisdirectlyproportionaltoaxialstresswhentheappliedstressiswithintheelasticrangeofthe
material.Ifbothendsofaboltareaccessible,amicrometermeasurementofboltlengthmadebeforeandafterthe
applicationoftensionwillensuretherequiredaxialstressisapplied.
Theultrasonicmethodofmeasuringelongationusesasoundpulse,generatedatoneendofaboltthattravelsthe
lengthofabolt,bouncesoffthefarend,andreturnstothesoundgeneratorinameasuredperiodoftime.Thetime
requiredforthesoundpulsetoreturndependsonthelengthoftheboltandthespeedofsoundintheboltmaterial.
Thespeedofsoundintheboltdependsonthematerial,thetemperature,andthestresslevel.Forshortbolts(L/Dof
lessthan4:1)significantuncertaintymaybedominatedbytheuncertaintyingripandthreadlengthsthatdetermine
theeffectivelengthofthefastener.
Theturnofnutmethodappliespreloadbyturninganutthroughananglethatcorrespondstoagivenelongation.
Themethodofcalculatingthenutturnanglerequireselongationoftheboltwithoutacorrespondingcompressionof
thejointmaterial.Theturnofnutmethod,therefore,isnotvalidifthereisasignificantdeformationofthenutand
jointmaterialrelativetothatofthebolt.Thenutturnanglewouldthenhavetobedeterminedempiricallyusinga
simulatedjointandatensionmeasuringdevice.

2.3.3 Preloadrelaxation

Preloadrelaxationmayresultoveraperiodofminutestohoursafterthefirstapplicationofthepreloaddueto:

Excess bearing stress under nuts and bolt heads caused by local yielding

Unevenly distributed bolt tension over the threads in a joint.

Retighteningafterseveralminutestoseveraldaysmayberequired.Asageneralrule,anallowanceforlossof
preloadofabout5percent[3]maybemadewhendesigningajoint.
Overanextendedperiodoftime,preloadmaybereducedorcompletelylostdueto:
Vibration;
Temperaturecycling,includingchangesinambienttemperature;
Creepofthejointmaterials;and
Jointloads
Theuseoflockingmethodsthatpreventrelativemotionofthejointmayreducetheproblemofpreloadrelaxation
duetovibrationandtemperaturecycling.Creepisgenerallyaneffectofsoftermaterialorboltmaterialatelevated
temperature.Differencesinthermalexpansionoftheboltsandflangematerialsthatmightcausepreloadtoincrease
ordecreasemustbetakenintoconsideration.

2.3.4 ApplicationSpecificTesting[2]

Applicationspecifictestingreferstotestconditionsthatcloselyresembletheactualconfiguration. Thepreload
uncertainties defined above can be used for small fasteners. Application specific testing is required for large
fasteners.Ingeneral,afastenerisconsideredlargeifithasadiameter>3/4. Anapplicationspecifictestmust
includethefollowingitems:

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

1. Preloadtests
a. Samelubricants
b. Samethreadform
c. Sameboltdiameter
d. Sametype/sizeoftightenedelement(nutorbolthead)
e. Samejointconfiguration
i. Thickness
ii. Material(s)
iii. Surfacefinish
iv. Washer(s)
v. Nut/nutplate/insert
f. Sametoolfortightening
2. Preloadlosstests
a. Samepreloadlevel
b. Samelengthofthreadengagement
c. Sameboltheadandnuttype/size/material
d. Sameboltdiameter
e. Samejointconfiguration
i. Material(s)
ii. Surfacefinish
iii. Washer(s)
iv. Numberofjointinterfaces
f. Sameanglebetweenbolthead/nutandjointinterface
3. CoefficientofFrictionTestsforFlangeandShimPlatesifnotavailablefromotherresource.
Caremustbetakentomaintainthecalibrationoftorqueandloadindicators. Preloadtestshallincludeboththe
throughboltjointandtappedboltjoint.Thepreloadlossshallevaluatetheshorttermpreloadrelaxationandcreep
ofthejointmaterials,butnottheeffectsofvibrationandthethermalcycling. Additionaljointstiffnessmaybe
determined either by analysis or an application specific test. Fatigue SN data may be obtained from the
manufacture.
The torquepreload relationships and the preload loss are determined by direct measurements taken from
instrumentedjointspecimens.Avalidapplicationspecifictestmustincludeanadequatesampleandanacceptable
statisticalanalysis.

2.3.5 Retorquingofpreloadedbolts[2]

Retorquingofpreloadedboltsusingtorquemeasurementsasthemeansofdeterminingthepreloadoftenresultsin
unexpected preload values. If torque measurements are used to determine the preload in bolts which have
undergoneoneormoreinstallationcycles,theyrequire
Applicationspecifictesting,or

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

Directmeasurementoranymethodthatdoesnotrelyontorquemeasurement.
An installationcycle isdefined asa procedure which produces a positivetorque (increases preload) and then
subsequentlyanegativetorque(decreasespreload)onabolt.Apreloadedboltisinitsfirstinstallationcycleuntilit
issubjecttoanegativetorqueforthefirsttime.Therefore,aboltthathaslostpreloadduetorelaxationbutasnot
beensubjecttoanegativetorquemayberetorquedandstillconsideredtobeinitsfirstinstallationcycle.

2.3.6 Jointstiffness

Considerajointthatconsistsofanumberofelementsstackedontopofoneanother.ThegriplengthL gismeasured
fromthebottomoftheboltornut(ifused).Ifatappedholeisused,thegriplengthismeasuredtothemiddleofthe
engagementlength.Thestiffnessofanindividualelementkiisequalto
E A
i i
ki
Li

Lg Li

Where
Ei=theelasticmodulusoftheelement
Ai=theareaoftheelementintheplanenormaltothebolt
Li=thethicknessoftheelement
Wherethereisachangeinarea,e.g.throughaflange,itmaybeassumedthattheeffectiveareagrowsalonga45
angle.Alternatively,theequivalentcylindermethod[6]maybeusedtocalculatetheeffectivearea.Thesemethods
areapproximate.Finiteelementanalysisandtestingarebetteroptionsforevaluatingthejointstiffness.
Thestiffnessoftheboltresultsfromthestiffnessoftheboltshankandthestiffnessoftheboltthread.Aboltedjoint
canincludeanumberofseparatepartsandtheindividualpartstiffnesscanbecalculatedapproximately.Thejoint
stiffnesskjisrelatedtotheindividualstiffnessvaluesasshownbelow.
1 n 1

1
k k
j i

where
n=numberofelementsinthejoint
kj=jointstiffness(lb/in)
Thetotalstiffnessktis
k j kb
kt
k j kb

2.3.7 Changeinpreload

Theboltpreloadmaychangeduetoanumberofeffectsincluding
Differentcoefficientsofthermalexpansionandtemperaturechange
Changeinelasticitywithtemperaturechange
Creepofthejointmaterials
Externalload

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

2.3.7.1 Differentcoefficientsofthermalexpansionandtemperaturechange

Iftheboltandflangematerialshavedifferent coefficientsofthermal expansionandthejointissubjectedtoa

temperaturechangeT,itintroducesatensionorrelaxationinthebolt.Thethermalstraininanelementth,iis
Tf
Tf L
th , i ( T ) dT
i
T0 L T
0

where
i=thecoefficientofthermalexpansionfortheithelement.
ThechangeinpreloadPis

P k t Li th , i L g th , b .
2.3.7.2 Changeinelasticitywithtemperaturechange

Achangeinelasticitywithtemperaturecanresultinachangeinpreload.Letk t,0representthetotaljoint(boltplus
joint)stiffnessattheinstallationtemperatureandk t,1representthetotaljointstiffnessatoperatingtemperature.IfP 0
istheinstallationpreload,thechangeinpreloadPis

k
P t ,1
1 P0 .
k
t ,0
2.3.7.3 Creepinthejointmaterials

Creepisgenerallycharacteristicofsoftmaterialsormaterialsatelevatedhightemperature.Ifthecreepdeformation
c(anegativenumber)isknown,thechangeinpreloadPis

P k t c .

2.3.7.4 Externalload[3]

When anexternal loadPe isappliedwhichtendstoseparate thejoint,part ofthisloadwillcause thefurther

extensionofthebolt,resultinginanincreaseintheboltloadPe,b.Partoftheloadwillresultinanincreaseofthe
jointthickness,resultinginadecreaseintheloadonthejointPe,j.
Pe Pe , b Pe , j .

Forcommonjointdesignstheloadiscarriedsomewherenearthemidplaneofeachflange.Theloadingplanefactor
misdefinedastheratioofthedistancebetweenloadingplanesdividedbythetotalthicknessofthejoint.
Theresultingpreloadchangesontheboltandjointare
mk b
Pe , b Pe
kb k j

mk b
Pe , j (1 ) Pe
kb k j

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

2.3.8 Relationshipbetweenboltfatiguelifeandboltpreload

Fatiguelifeofaboltisdeterminedbythemagnitudesofmeanandalternatingstressimposedontheboltbyexternal
cyclicloads.Ifthereisnoboltpreloadinloadedboltjoint,theboltloadisequaltothejointload.However,if
preloadisappliedtothebolt,thejointiscompressedandboltloadchangesmoreslowlythanthejointloadasshown
inSection2.3.7.4becausesomeoftheloadisabsorbedasareductionofcompressioninthejoint.Thiscondition
resultsinaconsiderablereductionincyclicboltloadvariationandtherebyincreasesthefatiguelifeofthefastener.

FatiguelifeusuallypresentedintheformofSNdiagrams,whereSstandsforstressamplitudeandNfornumberof
cycleofappliedload.Thestressconcentrationpointsatthethreadrootsandtheheadtobodyfilletsarethemajor
factor,whichaffectfatiguelife.

2.3.9 PreloadforBoltsinShear

Joints required to resist shear are designed as either frictiontype or bearingtype connections. When shear
connectionssubjectedtostressreversal,severestressfluctuation,orwhereslippagewouldbeundesirable,AISC[4]
recommendsusingafrictiontypeconnection.
Inshearloadedjointswithmembersthatslide,thejointmemberstransmitshearloadstotheboltsinthejointand
thepreloadmustbesufficienttoholdthejointmembersincontactandwithoutadditionalslidingduringthestress
cycle.Therefore,theboltsaresubjectedtobothtensileandshearloadingsimultaneously.
Injointsthatdonotslide,shearloadsaretransmittedwithinthejointbyfrictionalforcesthatmainlyresultfromthe
preload.Therefore,preloadmustbegreatenoughfortheresultingfrictionforcestobegreaterthantheappliedshear
force.
Shearloadsarealsoproducedduetopreloadtorque.Theshearstressinducedintheboltduringapplicationofthe
preloadmustalsobeconsideredintheboltedjointdesign. Jointswithcombinedaxialandshearloadsmustbe
analyzedtoensurethattheboltswillnotfailintension,shearorcombinedtensionandshear.

2.3.10 BoltBending

Boltbendingmayresultfromdoubleshear,misalignmentduringassembly,useoflongspacers,pryingaction,or
fromflangesthatareseveralordersofmagnitudestifferthanthebolt.Inthelattercasetheflangetendstorotateas
arigidbody,forcingtheheadofthebolttorotatewhichappliesmomentloadingtothebolt.

3 DESIGNCRITERIA

Ingeneral,forpreloadedjointstoworkeffectivelytheymustmeetthefollowingcriteria:
Theboltmusthaveadequatestrength.
Thejointmusthaveadequatestrength
Theboltmusthaveadequatefatiguelife
Themaximumandminimumpreloadsmustbedeterminedtakingintoaccountthefollowingconsiderations:
Typicaluncertaintypreloadvalueortheapplicationspecifictest,
Positiveandnegativethermaleffects,and
Expectedpreloadloss.

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

TheallowablestresscriteriaaredefinedintheNCSXStructuralandCryogenicDesignCriteria[5].Theshearloads
andtensileloadsduetoboltpreloadandexternalloadsshallbecalculatedfromtheoreticalorempiricalequations
andthefiniteelementanalysis.

3.1 Boltstrengthcriteria
a. Thethreadengagementlengthoftheboltshallprovideadequatestrengthforthemaximumbolttension
duringinstallationandoperatingconditions
b. Maximumbolttensionshallbedeterminedfromthemaximumboltpreload,preloadloss,thermaleffects,
andtheexternalloads.
c. Ifpreloadprocedureinvolvesthebolttensionandbolttorque,thecombinedtensilestress(vonMises
stress)vm[1]andthemaximumshearstressmaxdeterminedbytheMohrscirclecanbecalculatedfrom
thefollowingequations.

vm 2
t 3
2
s
0.5

0.5
2
max t
2
4 s

wheretistheaxialappliedtensilestressandsistheshearstresscausedbythetorsionloadapplication.
d. Themaximumboltpreloadshallbelimitedbytheaxialtensileallowableofbolttensileareaandthebolt
threadsheararea.
e. Iftheboltissubjectedtobothtensileandshearloadingsimultaneously,thefollowingrelationshipmust
holdtrueforthemaximumboltaxialload[3]
2 3
R R 1
t s

whereRtistheratioofmaximumaxialloadtoaxialloadallowableandR sistheratioofshearloadtoshear
loadallowable.
f. If combined tension, shear, and bending are experienced, the following interaction equation must be
satisfied[3]
2 3
(R R ) R 1
b t s

whereRbistheratioofmaximumbendingloadtobendingloadallowable.
g. Alockingdeviceshallbeusedtopreventfailureduetoloosebolts.

3.2 Jointstrengthcriteria
a. TheseparationofapreloadedjointmustnotoccurduetoanexternalloadP e.Separationoccurswhenthe
decreaseintheloadonthejointPe,j(perSection2.3.7.4)exceedstheminimumpreload.
b. Themaximumaxialboltloadshallbeusedtocalculatethebearingstressunderthebolthead,nut,washer,
andtheinsulationmaterial.
c. Thewashershallbebigenoughtospreadthemaximumpreloadontheflangeortheinsulationmaterial.
Thusthewasherthicknessshallprovideenoughstrengthforthebendingandshearstressunderthebearing
load.
d. Theminimumboltpreloadshallbeusedtocalculatethefrictionforce.
e. Theallowablecoefficient offriction(a)mustalwaysbedeterminedinaconservativemanner.Testing
underrepresentativeconditionsshouldbeperformedinordertodeterminetheallowablecoefficient of
friction.

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

f. Frictioncoefficientextremesmustbeconsideredasanticipatedupsetconditionsinthedesign. Friction
coefficientextremesshallbedeterminedasfollows:

a min max( a 0.15 , 0.02 )

a max a 0.15

Forallowablecoefficientsoffrictionabove0.45,use
2
a a
min
3
4
a max a
3

g. Iftheboltisloadedinshear,bearingstressmayoccurastheboltispressedagainstthesideofthebushing.
Theallowablebearingstressshallbelimitedtotheyieldstrengthattemperature.
h. Inshearloadedjoints,withmembersthatslide,thejointmemberstransmitshearloadstotheboltandthe
minimumpreloadmustbesufficienttoholdthejointmembersincontactandwithoutadditionalsliding
duringthestresscycle.

3.3 Boltfatiguecriteria

Thepreloadstresslevelandthecyclicstressvariationshallprovideacceptablefatiguelife.

4 REFERENCES

[1]Oberg,E.,Jones.F.,Horton,H.,andRyffel,H.,MachinerysHandbook,27thEdition,IndustrialPressInc.,New
York,2004
[2]CriteriaforPreloadedBolts,NSTS08307,Rev.A,NASA,1998
[3]Chambers,J.,PreloadedJointAnalysisMethodologyforSpaceFlightSystems,NASATechnicalMemorandum
106943,1995
[4]ManualofSteelConstruction,AISC,SeventhEdition,1970
[5]NCSXStructuralDesignCriteria,NCSXCRITCRYO00,NCSXSpecification,Nov.292004
[6]Bickford,JohnH.,AnIntroductiontotheDesignandBehaviorofBoltedJoints,3rdEdition,MarcelDekker,Inc.,
NewYork,1995

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HandbookforBoltedJointDesign NCSXCRITBOLT00

5 APPENDICES

5.1 Screwthreadterminology1

5.2 Unifiedthreadstandard2

FromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia
TheUnifiedThreadStandard(UTS)definesastandardthreadformandseriesalongwithallowances,tolerances,
anddesignationsforscrewthreadscommonlyusedintheUnitedStatesandCanada.Ithasthesame60profileas
the ISOmetricscrewthread usedintherestoftheworld,butthecharacteristicdimensionsofeachUTSthread
(outer diameter and pitch) were chosen as an inch fraction rather than around millimeter value. The UTS is
currentlycontrolledbyASME/ANSIintheUnitedStates.

5.2.1 Origins

The standard was originally adopted by the Screw Thread Standardization Committees of Canada, the United
Kingdom,andtheUnitedStatesonNov18, 1949in Washington,D.C.,andappliedtoscrewthreadsusedinthe
abovecountrieswiththehopetheywouldbeadopteduniversally.ThestandardwasnotwidelytakenupintheUK,
whocontinuedtousetheirownBA(BritishAssociation)standardandthenmigratedto ISOmetricscrewthreads.
TheoriginalUTSstandardmaybefoundinASA(nowANSI)publication,Vol.1,1949.
UTSconsistsofUnifiedCoarse(UNC),UnifiedFine(UNF),UnifiedExtraFine(UNEF)andUnifiedSpecial
(UNS).
The International Organization for Standardization's ISO metric screw thread preferred series, based on round
millimeterdimensions,isthestandardthathasbeenadoptedworldwideandhasdisplacedallformerstandards,
includingUTS.IntheUSA,whereUTSisstillprevalent,over40%ofproductscontainISOmetricscrewthreads.
Oftheabovementionedcountries,theUKhascompletelyabandoneditscommitmenttoUTSinfavouroftheISO
metricthreads,andCanadaisinbetween.

1
Retrievedfromhttp://tpub.com/content/draftsman/14040/css/14040_52.htm
2
Retrievedfromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Thread_Standard

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5.2.2 Technicalinformation

5.2.2.1 Formandpitch

UTSthreadformandpitchtechnicalspecificationsarecurrentlycontrolledbyASME/ANSIindustrystandardsin
theUnitedStates:
ASME/ANSIB1.12003UnifiedInchScrewThreads,UN&UNRThreadForm
ASME/ANSIB1.10M2004UnifiedMiniatureScrewThreads
ASME/ANSIB1.151995UnifiedInchScrewThreads,UNJThreadForm

P=1/TeethPerInch
H=0.866025*P
H1=0.541266*P
d1=d+1.082532*P
d2=d+0.433013*P
D=d
D1=d1
D2=d2

5.2.2.2 Gauging

Ascrewthreadgaugingsystemcomprisesalistofscrewthreadcharacteristicsthatmustbeinspectedtoestablish
thedimensionalacceptabilityofthescrewthreadsonathreadedproductandthegauge(s)whichshallbeusedwhen
inspectingthosecharacteristics.
CurrentlythisgaugingUTSiscontrolledby:
ASME/ANSIB1.21983GaugesAndGaugingForUnifiedInchScrewThreads
ASME/ANSIB1.3M1992ScrewThreadGaugingSystemsDimensionalAcceptabilityInchMetricScrewThreads
TheseStandardsprovideessentialspecificationsanddimensionsforthegaugesusedonUnifiedinchscrewthreads
(UN,UNR,UNJthreadform)onexternallyandinternallythreadedproducts.Italsocoversthespecificationsand

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dimensionsforthethreadgaugesandmeasuringequipment.Thebasicpurposeanduseofeachgaugearealso
described.Italsoestablishesthecriteriaforscrewthreadacceptancewhenagaugingsystemisused.

5.2.2.3 Classofthread

Aclassificationsystemexistsforeaseofmanufactureandinterchangeabilityoffabricatedthreadeditems.Most(but
certainlynotall)threadeditemsaremadetoaclassificationstandardcalledtheUnifiedScrewThreadStandard
Series.Thissystemisanalogoustothefitsusedwithassembledparts.
Classes1A,2A,3Aapplytoexternalthreads;Classes1B,2B,3Bapplytointernalthreads.
Class1threadsarelooselyfittingthreadsintendedforeaseofassemblyoruseinadirtyenvironment.
Class2threadsarethemostcommon.Theyaredesignedtomaximizestrengthconsideringtypicalmachineshop
capabilityandmachinepractice.
Class3threadsareusedforclosertolerances.
Threadclassreferstotheacceptablerangeofpitchdiameterforanygiventhread.Thepitchdiameterisshownasd2
inthefigureabove.Thereareseveralmethodsthatareusedtomeasurethepitchdiameter.Themostcommon
methodusedinproductionisbywayofaGoNoGogauge.
Atableofpitchdiametersandthreadclassescanbefoundhere.

5.2.3 Relatedinformation

ISOmetricscrewthread
BritishStandardWhitworth
BritishAssociationscrewthreads
WrenchMostcommontoolusedtoloosen/tightenscrews.
Nationalpipethread

5.2.3.1 Externallinks

UnifiedCoarsestandardanddrillsizes
UnifiedFinestandardanddrillsizes
InternationalThreadStandards
SpannerJawSizesAdditionalinformationandspannerjawsizetable.

Retrievedfrom"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Thread_Standard"

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5.3 Unifiedscrewthreaddimensions3

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