Chapter 71: Effect of Fretting Wear on Non-rotational Bolt Self-Loosening

Bolt self-loosening is a slow phenomenon. Simulating the entire process with detailed thread information and load history is often computationally not feasible. With simplified bolt thread model and scaled wear analysis, the self-loosening modeling can be accelerated and the process simulated in fewer simulation cycles. This example problem demonstrates how to speed-up the self-loosening simulation process using the simplified bolt thread model and scaled fretting wear analysis.

The following features and capabilities are highlighted:

  • Factors influencing bolt self-loosening: local dynamics, plasticity and fretting wear.

  • Bolt self-loosening characteristic curve for different excitation conditions.

  • Contribution of fretting wear model for continual self-loosening.