Modelling and evaluation of fasteners under fatigue

Abstract: At the calculations group in Sigma Industry East North, the traditional method for evaluating fasteners has been by use of the VDI2230 manual. As the complexity of a model increases the evaluation also becomes harder. The goal of this thesis is to set a robust evaluation method by combining the VDI2230 with the Finite Element (FE) method. Varied topics such as fastener and plate compliance, embedding effect, forces through the fastener and plate, minimum thread engagement length, service loads and the fatigue effect in fasteners is discussed. The flowchart discusses the process flow, as in, where to use the VDI2230 and where the FE method comes into use. The thesis also helps to understand designing of bolts like selection of the bolt diameter of varied applications and is user friendly to handle. The focus is also on reducing the time taken for fastener evaluation and setting up of an in-house technique for the evaluation. The evaluation method is verified using a test case.