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Badri FKM UTM

BOLT Analysis and Selection (pg 410)

This note is only a guideline for using the text book. Detailed explaination and tables
are found in Shigley Mechanical Engineering Design text book.

Objective
To analyze loads and stresses acting on a threaded fastener and
consequently select appropriate size of the fastener

Thread Definitions -The terminology of screw threads

p (pitch) the distance between adjacent thread forms measured parallel to the
thread axis. The pitch in U.S. units is the reciprocal of the number of thread
forms per inch N.
d The major diameter (most important reference to bolt size [eg major
diameter 10mm = M10] )
dr The minor (smallest) diameter (used in shear analysis)
At The tensile-stress area of the threaded part of the screw or bolt sustaining
the load equal in strength to an unthreaded rod. (used in tensile stress
analysis of bolts)
l (lead) - distance the nut moves parallel to the screw axis when the nut is
given one turn. For a single thread, the lead is the same as the pitch. For
double thread: l = 2p and triple thread: l = 3p
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Thread Standards

M10 x 1.5 Metric threads are specified by writing the diameter and pitch in
millimeters. This thread have a nominal major diameter of 10 mm
and a pitch of 1.5 mm. (Table 8-1).

0.625"-18 UNRF Unified threads are specified by stating the nominal major
diameter, the number of threads per inch, and the thread series.
(Table 8-2).

Table 8-1 (Sample) pg 412

Bolt Strength

In the specification standards for bolts, the bolt size is specified by stating the proof
strength against the minimum tensile stress or von-mises stress.

proof load the maximum load (force) that a bolt can withstand without
acquiring a permanent set.

proof strength the quotient of the proof load and the tensile-stress area.
Why proof strength and not yield strength?

Table 8-11 (Sample) pg 435

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FORCE AND STRESS ANALYSIS

The bolts are located at various location in the joint. In this analysis, the original loads
applied at all the bolts are replaced by an equal load applied at the centroid plus a torque
that is equal to the product of force and the distance it was moved. Based on this basic
principle, centroid location must be calculated before force analysis can proceed.

Calculation of CG (centroid) for a group of Bolts (or screw)

A  2
A  3

A1 ⋅ x1 + A2 ⋅ x2 + A3 ⋅ x3 + .... + An ⋅ xn y
x= _
A1 + A2 + A3 + ... + An x A  i
A  4

A  1
_
A1 ⋅ y1 + A2 ⋅ y2 + A3 ⋅ y3 + .... + An ⋅ yn y
A  5
y=
A1 + A2 + A3 + ... + An
x
where A is the cross-sectional area of the bolts - assuming all bolts are of the
same size.

Loading of Bolts
There are 4 main types of loads acting on bolts - 2 primary and 2 secondary.

Primary Load:
1. axial load per bolt, P' (or axial stress per bolt, σp )
2. shear load per bolt, V' (or shear stress per bolt τp )
Secondary load:
1. bending load per bolt, P" (or bending stress per bolt, σs )
2. twisting load per bolt, V" (or torsional stress per bolt τs )
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Pure Axial Load (P) ( NB : this is primary load. )

P
Tensile load per bolt : Fp =
n

P P
Tensile stress per bolt : σp = =
Atotal n ⋅ At
n - number of bolts The load per bolt
are equal regardless
At - tensile stress area (see Table 8-1)
of bolts' locations.

Tensile Loaded Connection

Pure Shear Load, V

Shear load V
Sp =
per bolt : n

Shear stress V
τp =
per bolt : Atotal

Tranversely Loaded Connection

V if shear occurs at the shank part, then use

τp =
n ⋅ As bolt sectional-area as
2
π⋅d
As = where d - major diameter
4

V if shear occurs at threaded part, then use

τp =
n ⋅ Ar bolt sectional-area as Ar - minor diameter
area (refer to Table 8-1)
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Bending Load

Bending Loaded

Moment M is force exerted on bolts by plate M = P⋅L

M
If force per unit distance Uf =
n

∑
2
li
i = 1

Then force at bolt n : Fn = Uf ⋅ ln

Fn
Secondary tensile stress : σs = At - tensile stress area (see Table 8-1)
At
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Torsional Load, T

V1
V2
y
_ C
x V3
V5 _
T y

V4
x

Twisted Loading

Twisting loads act at centroid of all bolts :

T = V1 ⋅ r1 + V2 ⋅ r2 + ..... + Vn ⋅ rn where r - distance of bolt to centroid

T
If shear force per unit distance U=
n

∑
2
ri
i = 1

Then shear force at bolt n : Vn = U ⋅ rn

Vn Area could be either area As  or   Ar 

Secondary shear stress : τs =
A (If Ar - see Table 8-1)
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Procedure for analysing bolt

1. Determine the kind of loads acting on the structure
Primary loads : Axial load, P and/or Shear load, V
Secondary loads: Bending load, M and/or Twisting load, T
2. Draw the freebody diagram and find the location of the centroid or the pivot.
3. Transfer all loads to the centroid/pivot.
4. Use suitable analysis to find the most critical load.
5. If both primary and secondary loads are shear, use summation of vector to find
resultant load.
6. If combined shear and tensile load, then calculate Von-Mises stress.
7. If both primary and secondary loads are tensile, add both load together.
8. Compare final stress with strength of bolt.

a. Compare Von-mises stress (σ') against proof strength (SP)

b. Compare shear stresses against shear yield strength
Sy
Ssy = (MSS)
2

Question 1

A bracket (size in mm) is supported by bolts as shown in diagram below. A load

of F = 16 kN is applied. Using bolts of Metric Class 5.8 , determine the suitable
bolt size for the design if η = 3.0 ; Length of shank 4 mm.
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Question 2

A force F acts on a mounting bracket fixed to a structure by 3 bolts as shown in

diagram below. Bolt used is 1/2"-13 UNC of ASTM grade A307.
a. Draw the freebody diagram showing all forces acting on the bolts
b. If the force F is 2 kN, determine the status of the connection if η ≥ 3.0.
c. If the bolt is M12 x 1.75 of Metric Class 5.8, find the safety factor.
d. Determine the maximum load F that the bolts can carry if the bolt used are
3/4"-10 UNC of ASTM grade A490. Use η ≥ 2.5.
(Hint: Convert metric dimensions to imperial (3 decimal points) .

Question 3

A bracket holding a cable of tension F is shown in diagram below. It is fixed to the

floor by 4 bolts of ASTM type 1 grade A325.
a. If tension F = 50 kN and the bolts size is 1/2"-13 UNC., determine the status of
the connection if recommended safety factor is 2.50
b. Determine F , if bolt size is 3/4"-10 UNC. and given η = 3