The influence of constraint method on the finite element simulation for bolted joint

Abstract

Due to the difficulty of observation and testing, more and more investigators use finite element method to simulate the loosening process of bolted joint. The influence of different constraint method on the results are discussed in the work. The results show that if the mesh is matched between the two tied parts, the results are the same as that of modelling the two parts as one component. If the mesh is unmatched between the two tied parts, the results have a very slight deviation from that of modelling the two parts as one component.