Bolted joints for very large bearings—numerical model development

• Published in: Finite elements in analysis and design Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 298 - 313
• Main Authors: Vadean, Aurelian, Leray, Dimitri, Guillot, Jean
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bearings, bushings, rolling bearings; Bolted joints; Computational techniques; Drives; Exact sciences and technology; Finite elements analysis; Finite-element and galerkin methods; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Mathematical methods in physics; Mechanical contact (friction...); Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Numerical model; Physics; Slewing bearings; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Bolted joints; Slewing bearings; Numerical model; Finite elements analysis; Bolted joint; Finite element method; Ring; Bearing(mechanics); Bolt; Fastener; Modeling; Assembly
• ISSN: 0168-874X; 1872-6925
• DOI: 10.1016/j.finel.2005.08.001

The conventional theory of bolted joints does not take the complexity of external loads into account, neither its related joint stiffness nor the contact non-linearities. This article deals with a 2D numerical model allowing fast and precise calculation of the fastening bolts for very large diameter bearings subjected to an overturning moment. The originality of the modelling lies in the use of a particular finite element that behaves like a ring, except in the axial direction. Its axial stiffness is the local stiffness that governs the behaviour of the bolted assembly. The model was tuned upon 3D finite elements simulations and provides excellent results for several types of bearings.