Global Bolted Joint Model for Multi-Bolt Joints (Gray and McCarthy)

[Doodler3D]

Folks,

Have any of you extensively implemented Gray and McCarthy's global jointed model based off their paper "A global bolted joint model for finite element analysis of load distributions in multi-bolt composite joints". Would it be possible to ignore the bolt stiffness and model only the rigid surface to transfer the loads. Also, how do I model a rigid analytical surface in Ansys??

Thank you.

 

[SWComposites]

Ignore the bolt stiffness? No.

 

[Behdad.S]

If I'm not wrong, you want to transfer displacement and forces without considering the bolt itself. If so, then why not Rigid body elements (RBE2 and RBE3)?

 

[rb1957]

rigid elements ignore the bolt stiffness. CBUSH (and RBE) would provide some representation of the bolt stiffness.

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[Doodler3D]

I am using Inventor Nastran, the default bolt connector which is BEAM+RBE2 has a bug for the version of Inventor. I am trying to find a workaround to correctly transfer the load between the structure. I'm pretty sure that the bolts will not fail in shear.

 

[MegaStructures]

“I’m pretty sure that bolts will not fail in shear”. Uh use CBUSH elements, export forces, and check against the shear strength of the bolts

“Any idiot can build a bridge that stands, but it takes an engineer to build a bridge that barely stands.”

 

[Doodler3D]

Thank you, @MegaStructures. I used RBE+CBUSH and was able to complete the analysis. Early FEA days.