Three-dimensional Finite Element Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of Helical Thread Connection

作     者：YANG Guoqing HONG Jun ZHU Linbo LI Baotong XIONG Meihua WANG Fei 

作者机构：State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Electromechanical Engineering Hunan University of Science and Technology 

出 版 物：《Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering》 (中国机械工程学报（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2013年第26卷第3期

页      面：564-572页

核心收录：

学科分类：08[工学] 080203[工学-机械设计及理论] 0802[工学-机械工程] 080201[工学-机械制造及其自动化] 

基　　金：supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50935006) Major Project of High-end CNC Machine Tool and Basic Manufacturing Equipment of China (Grant No.2011ZX04016-031) National Hi-tech Research and Development Program of China (863 Program, Grant No. 2012AA040701) 

主　　题：finite element analysis thread connection load distribution stress concentration 

摘      要：Conventional analytical and numerical methods for the mechanical properties of helical threads are relied on many assumptions and approximations and thus hardly yield satisfied results. A parameterized 3D finite element model of bolted joints with real helical thread geometry is established and meshed with refined hexahedral elements. The Von Mises plasticity criterion, kinematic hardening rule of materials and interfacial contacts are employed to make it possible for the suggested model be able to approach real assembly conditions. Then, the mechanical properties of bolted joints with different thread pitches, thread numbers and modular ratios are investigated, including the contact pressure distribution at joint interfaces, the axial load distribution and stress concentration in screw threads during the loading and unloading process. Simulation results indicate that the load distribution in screw threads produced by the suggested model agrees well the results from CHEN’s photoelastic tests. In addition, an interesting phenomenon is found that tightening the bolt with a large preload first and then adjusting the clamping force by unloading can make the load distribution more uniform and reduce the maximum residual equivalent stress in thread roots by up to 40%. This research provides a simple and practical approach to constructing the 3D finite element model and predicting the mechanical properties of helical thread connection.