Specifying a Bolt Preload in Refine

To specify a bolt preload on a bolt in the Refine stage:
  1. Select Bolt preload from the dropdown menu of the Structural tool in the Physics group of the Simulation tab, or by selecting the Bolt preload tool in the Structural condition HUD.
  2. Select one or more cylindrical faces to apply a bolt preload. You can also select one or more bolt axes, which were defined in a bolt assignment in the Prepare tab.

    Any bodies that the bolt passes through will be bonded to it by default. If you wish to exclude them from being bonded, then select the faces of the body that the bolt passes through with the secondary selection.

    If your model contains Named Selections, you can click Advanced filters, select Link named selections, and choose one from the list.

    Note: Named selections do not currently support bolt assignments.
  3. Select an option for defining the bolt:
    OptionDescription
    Clamp force Specify a known value of axial load to apply to the length of the bolt.
    Grip length adjustment Specify a known value of adjustment to apply to the length of the bolt.
    Torque
    1. Specify the torque to which the bolt will be tightened.
    2. You can optionally change the default Torque Coefficient value, which varies based on the material.
    3. Bolt diameter is detected automatically, but you can select Specify bolt diameter if you want to specify a Shank diameter value. If you do not specify the diameter, Discovery uses the geometric diameter (determined per-bolt location).
    Note: If you have multiple bolts with the same load value and axial direction, the same preload value is applied to all bolts selected.