Add Bolt/Nut Tightening Load

Simulate pre-tensioning by applying loads directly to 3D bolts and nuts.

Loads can be specified by nut turns, bolt torque or target axial load values. A wide variety of bolted configurations are supported including blind bolts, nuts on threaded shafts, and nuts on posts.

For a video tutorial of adding Bolt/Nut tightening loads, click here.

  1. In the Project Tree, open the Analysis Workbench.
  2. Click on the desired Analysis branch.
  3. Next to Loads, click Add.
  4. Choose (Bolt/Nut tightening) from the list of loads.
    Figure 1.


    The Bolt/Nut tightening dialog opens.
  5. In the modeling window, select bolts and/or nuts in the model.
  6. Specify Thread pitch value and units.
  7. Do one of the following to define how the load is specified.
    OptionDescription
    Define by number of turns
    1. Under Bolt/Nut tightening, select number of turns.
    2. Specify the number of turns.
      Note: For this method, the value is specified as fractional bolt turns and not degrees or radians. For example, a value of 0.5 represents a nut turn angle of 180 degrees.
    Define by bolt torque
    1. Under Bolt/Nut tightening, select Torque.
    2. Specify the Torque value and units.
    3. Specify the Friction coefficient.
    Define by target axial force
    1. Under Bolt/Nut tightening, select Target axial force.
    2. Specify the target axial force value and units.
  8. Click OK.
    Note:

    SimSolid Cloud does more than just recognize bolts, nuts and washers. It uses this information to automatically set up the appropriate contact conditions. Contact conditions in the bolt, rod or post inner shank (between the bolt head and nut) are set to sliding. Contact conditions on the inner radius of washers are set to sliding as well. Other contact conditions remain bonded.