Tips for modelling three plates bolted together

[bjorn_fallqvist]

Hi,

I need some tips on how to model a joint of three parts (see picture). What I'm really interested in is the stress amplitude in the bolt clamping the plates together, so I'd like to make a joint at the top and bottom parts and connect it between them, but how do simulate that the inner hole surface is bonded to the bolt (as it is in reality)?

I was thinking of making some kind of beam "crosses" (like a universal joint) between the interfaces of the top and bottom plate and connect it to the hole inside, but this would not be a good representation, I think. It would become much too stiff.

I suppose I can always just draw the bolt in two parts, and let the middle node be connected to the inside of the hole somehow, but then I'm unsure how to properly determine the bolt axial stress.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Björn

[Alan_H]

Have you looked at the bolted connection option under the Mesh pull down?  Their's actually a tutorial that ships with Algor that goes over the bolted connection faily well (Bolted Flange CAD Model under the Meshing and Modeling Tutorials).

Alan

[bjorn_fallqvist]

I didn't know there was one. I'll check it out.

Thanks!

[bjorn_fallqvist]

Hi,

I don't think that tutorial is what I was looking for. It's only two flanges, and I'm looking for something similar, but with a plate in between that should also stay fixed because of the bolt without adding overly much stiffness. Maybe contact beam-solid somehow can be done.

Thanks anyhow!

/Björn