Abstract
The load distribution and the normalized stress distribution in the threads of an ISO metric nut and bolt were found by frozen-stress photoelastic analysis employing a fringe-multiplying polariscope in conjunction with a recording microdensitometer. Previous investigators assumed that these distributions were identical, whereas the present study shows that this is not the case. It has been further shown that deducing the load distribution from measurements of the nut deformation is unsatisfactory. The results of the reported method correlate closely with Sopwith's theoretical load distribution. Three recent finite-element analyses of nut-bolt systems have been compared indirectly to the experimental load distribution. That of Bretl and Cook was found to give the best comparison.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Den Hartog, J.P., “The Mechanics of Plate Rotors for Turbogenerators,” Trans. ASME,51,Paper No. APM 51-1 (1929).
Goodier, J.H., “Distribution of Load on Threads of Screws,”Trans. ASME,62,A10-A16 (1940).
Hetényi, M., “The Distribution of Stress in Threaded Connections,”Exp. Stress Anal.,1 (1),147–156 (1943).
Sopwith, D.G., “The Distribution of Load in Screw Threads,”Inst. Mech. Engrs. Appl. Mech. Proc.,159,373–383 (1948).
Brown, A.F.C. andHickson, V.M., “A Photoelastic Study of Stresses in Screw Threads,”Proc. I. Mech. Eng.,1B,605–612 (1952).
Maruyama, K., “Stress Analysis of a Bolt-Nut Joint by the Finite Elements and Copper-Electroplating Technique,”Bul. JSME,17 (106),442–450 (1974).
Bretl, J.L. andCook, R.D., “Modelling Load Transfer in Threaded Connections by the Finite Element Method,”Int. J. Number. Methods Eng.,14 (9),1359–1377 (1979).
Tanaka, M., Miyazawa, H., Asaba, E. andHongo, K., “Application of the Finite Element Method to Bolt-Nut Joints,”Bul. JSME,24 (192),1064–1071 (1981).
Tanaka, M., Hongo, K. andAsaba, E., “Finite Element Analysis of Threaded Connections Subjected to External Loads,”Bul. JSME,25 (200),291–298 (1982).
Fessler, H. andJobson, P.K., “Stresses in Bottoming Stud Assembly with Chamfers at the End of the Thread,”J. Strain Anal.,18 (1),15–22 (1983).
Kenny, B. andPatterson, E.A., “The Use of a Microdensitometer for Photoelastic Analysis,”Strain,21 (1),13–19 (1985).
British Standards Institution, “Specification for ISO metric screw threads, Part 1. Principles and basic data,” BS. 3643 (1981).
Allison, I.M., “Extrapolation Methods for Evaluating Boundary Stresses,”Brit. J. Appl. Phys.,16,93–99 (1965).
Cox, M.G., “A Survey of Numerical Methods for Data and Function Approximation,”The State of the Art in Numerical Analysis, Academic Press, London, 627–668 (1977).
Frocht, M.M., “Photoelasticity,”1,Ch. 8,252–322,John Wiley and Sons,New York (1940).
Hollister, G.S., “Experimental Stress Analysis,”178–179, University Press, Cambridge (1967).
Stoeckly, E.E. andMacke, H.J., “Effect of Taper on Screw Thread Load Distribution,”Trans. ASME,74 (1),103–112 (1952).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kenny, B., Patterson, E.A. Load and stress distribution in screw threads. Experimental Mechanics 25, 208–213 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02325089
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02325089