Innovative Modelling Scheme of Bolt Joint Via Finite Element Analysis

Low, Wei Choon (2025) Innovative Modelling Scheme of Bolt Joint Via Finite Element Analysis. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Bolted joints are commonly used across various industries for assembling structural components due to their ease of assembly and disassembly, straightforward configuration and costeffectiveness. However, incorporating bolted joints in a structure significantly alters its dynamic behaviour, specifically its natural frequencies and mode shapes. This alteration is primarily influenced by two factors: the stiffness of the contact surfaces and the bolts themselves. These factors are not well understood and are challenging to determine through experimental methods. Current methods for modelling bolted joints to analyse the dynamic behaviour of an assembled structure via simulation are challenging, cumbersome and uneconomical. These traditional or detailed FE model demands a large number of degrees of freedom, substantial data storage and high computational cost to present the mechanical properties of the joint accurately. Therefore, these scenarios are the significant motivation to the main goals of this study which are to propose an efficient, economical and reliable modelling scheme for predicting the dynamic behaviour of an assembled structure connected by bolted joints. The limitations of current modelling methods drive the need for more innovative approaches. In this study addresses these challenges by innovating modelling scheme for bolted joints via finite element analysis (FEA) that aims to be both efficient and accurate. The focus is on reducing the computational burden without sacrificing the precision required to predict dynamic behaviour accurately. The scheme will be developed with a different types of connector elements and contact stiffness mechanisms within FEA, straightway creates a modelling approach that balances accuracy with computational efficiency. The proposed scheme will utilize a combination of connector elements along with improve contact stiffness mechanisms to represent the joint’s mechanical properties more effectively. This approach seeks to offer a practical solution to current challenges, providing engineers with more accessible tools for simulating the dynamic effects of bolted joints without the high computational costs of existing methods.