Bolt preloads are an integral part of the bolted joint analysis and simulate the tensioning assembly of the bolt, typically, prior to other loads being applied. The bolt body is cut into two sections and a pilot node is used to apply this modeling practice. Application of a preload can either be to a cylindrical face, or to a body. When scoped to a body, a coordinate system must be identified in order to establish the location of the cut section along the bolt axis.
Consideration must be taken that the split in the body is located outside of a bonded contact section, which is typical of a bolt thread. In order to do this, often it is important to control the split of the body based on a coordinate system.
In addition to the split, the preload values can be implemented by step. Functionality to import/export the preload table values is exposed in this menu.
- Assign Preload Cs
Attempt to associate the selected preloads with the closest CS to the body centroid.
- Move Preload Cs
Shows small window for user input to move the coordinate system of all activated preloads in the Z direction.
Useful for modifying the location of the cut section in the bolt to avoid any bonded contact in the threaded section.
- Get Preload From Cs
Select any corresponding preloads from the currently active coordinate systems.
- Get Cs From Preload
Select any corresponding coordinate systems from the currently active preloads.
- Get Preloads From Selection
Select any corresponding preloads from the graphics window selection.
- Set Selection From Preloads
Select in the graphics all the scoped entities for the active preload objects in the tree.
- Get Preloads From Probes
Activate preload objects under an analysis based on the active preload probes under the solution.
- Rename Preloads Based On Def
Auto-rename all selected preloads.
- Export Preload Values
Export the tabular data load values to an external file (.csv) .
- Import Preload Values
Import tabular data values from an external file to activated preloads.