CONNECTING RODS AND BOTTOM END BOLTS

(a) causes of bottom end bolt failures

Stress concentration in way of change of section, damaged fillet and damaged surface
finish
Over stretching / tightening causing permanent damage due to plastic deformation
Uneven tightening causing overloading of some bolt
Inadequate pretension causing high fluctuation of stress in bolts and consequently fatigue
failure
Improper seating of bolt head and nut resulting in bending stress in bolts
Corrosive attack due contaminated lube oil
(b) methods used to tighten the bottom end bolts
Hydraulic device (measure stretch)
During tightening measurements of extension are essential for correct stress
All hydraulic equipments to be checked and pressure gauge to be calibrated
Tightening must be done in stages
Tightening to be done in sequence as per maker’s requirement
Torque spanner
First do calibration of torque spanner and adjust the required torque
Torque should be applied in more than one stage
During final torque applied all work to done by one person and slowly done

Hand tightening
Place one mark on bolt head
Place two marks for angle for final tightening as per maker’s instruction
Do that in more than one stage
Angular accuracy is essential for correct tightening load
(c) Modern design of bottom end bolt
Shank diameter is 10% less than core diameter
Fillet is provided between shank and bolt head to prevent stress concentration
3 to 4 threads remain free below contact face of the nut
High degree of surface finish to prevent stress concentration
Cold rolling of threads to improve fatigue strength
Bolt stiffness to be less than bearing housing less dynamic load on bolt
High UTS alloy steel with long thin elastic bolts for higher fatigue strength
Fitted portion to keep as short as possible to prevent stress concentration and to obtain
greatest resilience

(d) The inspection and maintenance of bottom end bolts

Sound testing to detect internal flaws and cracks
Bolt threads
Surface finish of bolts

Satinath Ghosh – Marine Fisheries Academy – 25th Batch Page 1

Fillet area
Cracks
Measuring elongation of bolts
Checking pretension of bolts
Checking locking device, if any

Satinath Ghosh – Marine Fisheries Academy – 25th Batch Page 2