Ravinder Kumar / Mechanica Confab

ISSN: 2320-2491

CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF LOOSENING IN PRE

STRESSED BOLTS
Ravinder Kumar
Engineer, Research and Development (R&D)
Sterling Tools limited, Palwal (Faridabad)
Corresponding E-mail: ravi1981988@yahoo.co.in
Abstract
In Vibratory conditions loosening of bolts are a common problem in engineering
applications. Total loss of the fastener or subsequent fatigue failure due to loss of bolt pretension are the predominant failure modes of vibration loosening This effect of self-loosening
of high strength bolts has been assessed since the 1940s. Still a lot of questions are unsolved.
This is especially the case in the field of bolts for steel structures with sizes from M6 to M36,
where the number of results is low. At risk for self-loosening are steel structures under cyclic
loads, such as cranes, mast constructions, smokestacks and bridges. To protect connections
against the self-loosening several anti-loosening devices were on the market. Recent results
showed that unfortunately almost all of them were malfunctioning. Due to that in 2003 all
German regulations for these elements were withdrawn. This study has been carried out in
Sterling Tools Ltd, Faridabad to analyse the mechanism of self-loosening.
The aim of this study is to find a constructive way to protect a bolted connection from selfloosening. Therefore several tests to identify the important pa-rameters were performed,
especially the variation of the clamping length. Within the paper the results of the project so
far were presented.
Finally, the paper discusses the available locking devices and their correct usage and
limitations.
Keywords: Loosening of Bolts, Clamp Load Analysis.
1. Introduction
Most bolted joints, especially the ones associated with machinery, are subject to
significant vibration levels during their life span. Rotating or reciprocating machines, such as
gas/steam turbines, electric motors and IC engines, are subject to vibration of relatively high
frequency. Gyratory crushers, jack hammers and so forth are subject to medium frequency
vibrations. Forging/stamping machines are subject to relatively low frequency, high
amplitude vibrations. Certain dynamic structures (eg. bridges and buildings subject to wind
and cyclonic loads) also undergo dynamic load fluctuations. Cyclic temperature variations
may also cause dynamic (very low frequency) load fluctuations in bolted joints. Although the

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2320-2491

frequencies of these fluctuations are spread over a wide spectrum, the general effects
effec of
dynamic loading on bolted joints are similar. The main effects are:
(1) Loosening
oosening of the nut/bolt and
and,
(2) Fatigue failure.
In most situations, both of the above effects may occur in one joint. It is common
experience that vibration loosening of joints may occur when a bolted joint undergoes
dynamic load fluctuations. There are a large number of thread-locking
thread locking devices available in
the market in order to alleviate joint loosening problems. However, use of such devices needs
n
to be done with care. It is very important to understand the root causes and mechanisms
behind the phenomenon of vibration loosening in order to decide the optimum method of
alleviating the problem.
This paper discusses the mechanisms preventing loosening,
loosening, mechanisms of loosening
and guidelines on using various thread
thread-locking
locking devices commonly available in the market.
1.1. Root Cause for Bolt Failure

Figure 1.
1 Main Root Cause for Bolt Failure
1.2. Why Do Fasteners Self Loosen
Preloaded fasteners self-loosen
loosen when relative movement occurs between the mating
threads and the fasteners bearing surface. Such relative movement will occurs when the
transverse force acting on the joint is larger than the frictional resisting force generated by th
the
bolts preload. Under repeated transverse movements this mechanism can completely loosen
fasteners.

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ISSN: 2320-2491

Figure 2. Self Loosening Mechanism of Preloaded Fasteners

1.3. Self-Loosen Test for Fasteners
A dynamic test was developed by Junker (Junker, Strelow 1966) to investigate the effect
of transverse movement on preloaded threaded fasteners. The machine allows a cyclic
transverse displacement to be imparted into a bolted joint. A load cell with in the joint allows
continuously monitoring of the bolt load as transverse motion is applied to a bolted joint. This
is a standard type of test machine used to investigate the self-loosening process.
With that test it is possible to analyse the locking characteristics of fasteners under
transverse loading conditions. In that test a bolted shear connection is moved by an eccentric
rotating engine. Due to an elas-tic centrepiece the deformation controlled load is transformed
into a mixture of deformation and force. The Junker test is standardized by the German
regulation DIN 65151. With the Junker test it is not possible to affirm a secure connection but
to compare different connections and safety devices.

Figure 3. Basic Arrangement of Junkers Vibration Testing Machine

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Ravinder Kumar / Mechanica Confab

ISSN: 2320-2491

2. Materials and Methodology

At Sterling Tools Limited, several tests for a better understanding of the mechanism of
self-loosening were realized and are still in progress. The intention is to find a solution to
protect bolted connections for steel constructions (M6-M36). The main key point of the test
series so far is the influence of the clamping length.
Table1. Description of Part under Study
Part Description under Study in Sterling Tools Limited
Part description
Grade
Finish

Accessories used

M8X1.25X60
8.8
Trivalent Silver White
1. Without Washer
2. With plain Washer
3. With Spring Washer
4. With Wave Washer

3. Results and Discussion

Table 2. Clamp Load Reduction with Different Accessories

Clamp Load Reduction with Respect of Original Clamp Load at Tightening with
Different Accessories
Part Description: M8X1.25X60, 8.8 Grade, Yellow Trivalent
Start Clamp
Clamp Load
Torque
Parameters
Load
KN After 100
Nm
KN
Cycles
30
8
5.1
30
7.7
5.1
Plain Bolt
30
7.7
5.5
30
8
7.4
30
9
6.9
30
14.3
8.8
30
12.7
10
With Plain Washer
30
15.3
11.8
30
14.7
10.5
30
11.2
8.5
30
12.3
10.2
30
13.7
10.9
With Spring washer
30
12.1
8.1
30
12.9
9.8
30
15.5
10.6
30
16
11.5
30
17.5
12.6
With Wave washer
30
13.3
9.9
30
18.7
13.1
30
17.3
12.2

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Clamp Load
Reduction %
-63
-65
-70
-92
-76
-61
-78
-76
-70
-75
-82
-79
-66
-75
-67
-71
-71
-73
-69
-70

Mean Clamp
Load Reduction
%

73%

72%

74%

71%

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ISSN: 2320
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Vibration loosening of fasteners sets with different types of washers was clearly
evident. As from above table it can be concluded that on an average 71-75
71 75 % clamp load lost
in 100 cycles in all cases. Initial clamp load is highest in case of bolt with wave washer so
due to this clamp load reduction is least in this case

n Clamp Load Reduction byy Using Different Accessories with Bolt

Figure 1. Effect on
3. Conclusions
Based on the above analysis and discussion the following generalized rules of thumb
may be established:
3.1. Loosening Mechanisms and Analysis
1. The mechanism of a vibratory conveyor resembles the mechanism of vibration
loosening of a bolted joint
2. Lateral vibration has a more prominent effect than the longitudinal vibration in
loosening
3. Loosening will increase with increasing frequency
4. Loosening will increase with increasing amplitude
5. The minimum amplitude and frequency required
required to start loosening will increase
significantly with increasing pre-load
pre
6. Under very specific conditions, vibration tightening may occur

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7. Increasing thread friction will also increase the minimum vibration level required to
loosen the joint
8. Effect of pre-load is further accentuated with increasing thread friction
9. Bearing friction is only effective when there is a pre-load. Increasing pre-load will
accentuate the effect of bearing friction in preventing vibration loosening
10. Finer threads will perform better in a vibration environment
11. Fine threads have a high possibility of vibration tightening under certain conditions
12. At lower pre-loads smaller thread flank angles are more susceptible to vibration
loosening. This is why the buttress thread is not recommended for applications
subject to vibration
13. Pre-load is the most economical way of preventing vibration loosening
14. A minimum pre-load of 65% of the proof load of the fastener should prevent vibration
loosening under most common vibration environments
15. When the inertial torque of the nut/bolt exceeds the prevailing torque loosening may
occur
16. For a right hand thread, an anti-clockwise acceleration of the shaft will cause the nut
to tighten while a clockwise acceleration will cause the nut to loosen if adequate preload is not provided.
17. To minimize vibration loosening of rotating equipment; for fastening to a clockwise
rotating shaft a left handed screw thread and for fastening to an anti-clockwise
rotating shaft a right hand screw thread must be used.
References
[1] Bickford, J.H. An introduction to the design and behaviour of bolted joints. Marcel
Dekker Inc., New York 1990.
[2] Bykhovsky, I. Fundamentals of Vibration Engineering. Mir Publishers, Moscow, Jan
1972.
[3] Barret, R.T. Locking Methods for Fasteners. American Fastener Journal, Nov/Dec
1998.
[4] Fernando, S. An engineering insight into the fundamental behaviour of tensile bolted
joints. Journal of the Australian Institute of Steel Construction, Steel Construction,
Vol 35, No 1, March 2001.

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