2.8.

Defining Pretension in a Joint Fastener

Preloads in bolts and other structural components often have significant effect on deflections and stresses. Two features, the PRETS179 pretension element and the PSMESH pretension meshing command,
can be used for this type of analysis. If the fastener has been meshed in two separate pieces, the pretension elements can be inserted between the pieces using the EINTF command.

The pretension load is used to model a pre-assembly load in a joint fastener. The fastener can be made up of any 2-D or 3-D structural, low- or high-order solid, beam, shell, pipe, or link elements. When
using the PSMESH command, the pretension section, across which the pretension load is applied, must be defined inside the fastener (shown in Figure 2.21: Pretension Definition for a bolted joint).

2.8.1. Applying Pretension to a Fastener Meshed as a Single Piece

The easiest way to apply pretension elements to a fastener is via the PSMESH command. You can use the command only if the fastener is not meshed in separate pieces. The command defines the pretension
section and generates the pretension elements. It automatically cuts the meshed fastener into two parts and inserts the pretension elements. If you decide that you want to remove the pretension elements,
they can do so automatically by deleting the pretension section (Main Menu> Preprocessor> Sections> Delete Section). This feature also allows you to “undo” the cutting operation by merging nodes.

Figure 2.21: Pretension Definition

The normal direction is specified via the PSMESH command and is part of the section data. This is in contrast to the previous method (the PTSMESH command), which used real constants to specify the
normal direction.

The meshed pretension section does not need to be flat. The elements underlying the pretension section can have almost any shape: line, triangle, quadrilateral, tetrahedron, wedge, or hexahedron. However,
there must be coincident nodes on the two sides (A and B) of the pretension section. Sides A and B on the pretension section are connected by one or more pretension elements, one for each coincident node
pair.

A pretension node (K) is used to control and monitor the total tension loads. The pretension load direction of the pretension section can be specified relative to side A when the section is created by the
PSMESH command. All pretension elements on a specific pretension section must use the same section, and must have the same pretension node K. Node K is the third position for the pretension element
definition.

2.8.2. Applying Pretension to a Fastener Meshed as Two Pieces

If the fastener has been meshed in two separate pieces (such as in an existing, legacy model), the pretension elements (PRETS179) can be inserted between the pieces using EINTF,TOLER,K (Main Menu>
Preprocessor> Modeling> Create> Elements> Auto Numbered> At Coincid Nd ...). If K is not defined, the program creates it automatically. Before using the EINTF command, the element type ID
and section properties must be defined properly. (See the SECDATA command for more information on using the PRETENSION section type.) The connecting surfaces (A and B) must have matching mesh
patterns with coincident nodes. If some node pairs between the two surfaces are not connected with pretension elements, the resulting analysis can be inaccurate.

2.8.3. Example Pretension Analysis

The following example describes the typical procedure used to perform a pretension analysis using the PSMESH command.

1. Mesh the bolt joint, then cut the mesh and insert the pretension elements to form the pretension section. For example, the following creates a pretension section called “example” by cutting the mesh and
inserting the section into volume 1. Note that a component is created as well (npts) that aids in plotting or selecting the pretension elements.

psmesh,,example,,volu,1,0,z,0.5,,,,npts

2. In the first load step, apply a force or displacement to node K. In this case, the load is applied as a force. The force “locks” on the second load step, allowing you to add additional loads. The effect of the
initial load is preserved as a displacement after it is locked. This is shown in the following example.

sload,1,PL01,tiny,forc,100,1,2

3. Apply other external loads as required using the SLOAD command.

The following example help you to understand how the pretension procedure works.

Figure 2.22: Initial Meshed Structure

The model represents a 180° slice of two annular plates and a single bolt assembled with an offset. The bolt is carbon steel, and the plates are aluminum. (See Figure 2.22: Initial Meshed Structure.)

Figure 2.23: Pretension Section

We use the PSMESH operation to separate the elements of the bolt into two unconnected groups, tied together with PRETS179 pretension elements. We then plot the element and node components on the
pretension interface. (See Figure 2.23: Pretension Section.)

Figure 2.24: Pretension Stress

We apply constraints for symmetry and to prevent rigid body motion. Note that the uniform temperature defaults to the reference temperature of 70°F. We apply half the load (this is a half model) to the
pretension node created by PSMESH, solve, and plot the normal stress in the axial direction. A s we should expect, the axial stress is tensile in the bolt, and compressive in the portion of the plates
compressed by the bolt heads. (See Figure 2.24: Pretension Stress.)

/prep7
et,1,187
mp,ex,1,1e7
mp,alpx,1,1.3e-5
mp,prxy,1,0.30
mp,ex,2,3e7
mp,alpx,2,8.4e-6
mp,prxy,2,0.30
tref,70

/foc,,-.09,.34,.42
/dist,,.99
/ang,,-55.8
/view,,.39,-.87,.31
/pnum,volu,1
/num,1
cylind,0.5,, -0.25,0, 0,180
cylind,0.5,, 1,1.25, 0,180
cylind,0.25,, 0,1, 0,180
wpoff,.05
cylind,0.35,1, 0,0.75, 0,180
wpoff,-.1
cylind,0.35,1, 0.75,1, 0,180
wpstyle,,,,,,,,0
vglue,all
numc,all
vplot
mat,1
smrt,off
vmesh,4,5
mat,2
vmesh,1,3
/pnum,mat,1
eplot
psmesh,,example,,volu,1,0,z,0.5,,,,elems
cm,lines,LINE
/dist,,1.1
cmplot
/solu
eqslve,pcg,1e-8
asel,s,loc,y
da,all,symm
asel,all
dk,1,ux
dk,12,ux
dk,1,uz
rescontrol,linear,all,1
sload,1,PL01,tiny,forc,100,1,2
/title,Sample application of PSMESH - preload only
solve
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!Finally, we construct the actual solution of interest. We want to
!know what happens to the preload in the bolt, and the stress field around
!it, when the assembly temperature rises to 150 degrees F.
!Both the preload and the stresses increase because, for a uniform
!temperature rise, there is greater thermal expansion in the aluminum plates
!than in the steel bolt. Any method for applying preload that did not
!allow the load to change would be unable to predict this result.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/post1
/show,JPEG
plnsol,s,z
prnsol,s,COMP
 /show,CLOSE
/solu
antype,,restart
tunif,150
/title,Sample application of PSMESH - uniform 150 degrees
solve
/post1
/show,JPEG
plnsol,s,z
prnsol,s,COMP
/show,CLOSE
/com,* CHECK HERE *

2.8.4. Example Pretension Analysis (GUI Method)

This section presents a sample pretension analysis using the GUI.

2.8.4.1. Set the Analysis Title

1. Select Utility Menu> File> Change Title

2. Enter the text, “Sample A pplication of PSMESH” and click OK.

2.8.4.2. Define the Element Type

Define SOLID187 as the element type.

1. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Element Type> Add/Edit/Delete. The Element Types dialog box appears.

2. Click Add. The Library of Elements dialog box appears.

3. In the scroll box on the left, select Structural, Solid.

4. Select Tet 10 node 187 in the scroll box on the right and click OK.

5. Click Close in the Element Types dialog box.

2.8.4.3. Define Material Properties

1. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Material Props> Material Models. The Define Material Model Behavior dialog box appears.

2. In the Material Models A vailable window, double click on Structural, Linear, Elastic, and Isotropic. A dialog box appears.

3. Enter 1E7 for EX, 0.3 for PRXY and click OK. Linear Isotropic appears under Material Model Number 1 in the Material Models Defined window.

4. Under Structural in the Material Models A vailable window, double click on Thermal Expansion, Secant Coefficient, Isotropic. A dialog box appears.

5. Enter 1.3E-5 for ALPX and click OK. Thermal Expansion (secant-iso) appears under Material Model Number 1 in the Material Models Defined window.

6. Select Material> New Model, then enter 2 for the new material ID and click OK. Material Model 2 appears in the Material Models Defined window on the left.

7. Double click on Isotropic under Structural, Linear, Elastic in the Material Models Available window. A dialog box appears.

8. Enter 3E7 for EX, 0.3 for PRXY and click OK. Linear Isotropic appears under Material Model Number 2 in the Material Models Defined window.

9. Double click on Isotropic under Structural, Thermal Expansion, Secant Coef in the Material Models Available Window. A dialog box appears.

10. Enter 8.4E-6 for ALPX and click OK. Thermal Expansion (secant-iso) appears under Material Model Number 2 in the Material Models Defined window.

11. Select Material> Exit to close the Define Material Behavior dialog box.

12. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Loads> Define Loads> Settings> Reference Temp.

13. Enter 70 as the reference temperature and click OK.

2.8.4.4. Set Viewing Options

1. Select Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> View Settings> Focus Point. The Focus Point dialog box appears.

2. Select User Specified.

3. Enter -.09, .34, and .42 as the User specified locate and click OK.

4. Select Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> View Settings> Magnification. The Magnification dialog box appears

5. Select User Specified.

6. Enter .99 as the User specified distance and click OK.

7. Select Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> View Settings> Angle of Rotation. The A ngle of Rotation dialog box appears.

8. Enter -55.8 as the Angle in degrees value and click OK.

9. Select Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> View Settings> Viewing Direction. The Viewing Direction dialog box appears.

10. Enter .39, -.87, and .31 as the XV, YV, and ZV values, respectively and click OK.

11. Select Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Numbering. Turn on Volume numbers.

12. Select Numbering shown with Colors only and click OK.

2.8.4.5. Create Geometry

1. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Create> Volumes> Cylinder> By Dimensions. The Create Cylinder by Dimensions dialog box appears.

2. Enter the following values:

Outer radius (RAD1): 0.5

Z-coordinates (Z1, Z2): -0.25, 0
Ending angle (THETA 2): 180

3. Click Apply to create the cylinder and keep the Create Cylinder by Dimensions dialog box open.

4. Enter the following values:

Outer radius (RAD1): 0.5

Z-coordinates (Z1, Z2): 1, 1.25
 Ending angle (THETA 2): 180

5. Click Apply to create the cylinder and keep the Create Cylinder by Dimensions dialog box open.

6. Enter the following values:

Outer radius (RAD1): 0.25

Z-coordinates (Z1, Z2): 0, 1
Ending angle (THETA 2): 180

7. Click OK to create the cylinder and close the Create Cylinder by Dimensions dialog box.

8. Select Utility Menu> WorkPlane> Offset WP by increments

9. Enter 0.05 in X, Y, Z Offset, press enter, and click OK. This offsets the working plane 0.05 units in the working plane x-direction.

10. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Create> Volumes> Cylinder> By Dimensions. The Create Cylinder by Dimensions dialog box appears.

11. Enter the following values:

Outer radius (RAD1): 1

Optional inner radius (RAD2): 0.35
Z-coordinates (Z1, Z2): 0, 0.75
Ending angle (THETA 2): 180

12. Click OK to create the cylinder and close the Create Cylinder by Dimensions dialog box.

13. Select Utility Menu> WorkPlane> Offset WP by increments.

14. Enter -0.10 in X, Y, Z Offset, press enter, and click OK. This offsets the working plane -0.10 units in the working plane x-direction.

15. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Create> Volumes> Cylinder> By Dimensions. The Create Cylinder by Dimensions dialog box appears.

16. Enter the following values:

Outer radius (RAD1): 1

Optional inner radius (RAD2): 0.35
Z-coordinates (Z1, Z2): 0.75, 1
Ending angle (THETA 2): 180

17. Click OK to create the cylinder and close the Create Cylinder by Dimensions dialog box.

18. Select Utility Menu> WorkPlane> Display Working Plane (toggle off).

19. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Modeling> Operate> Booleans> Glue> Volumes.

20. Pick all (in the picker).

21. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Numbering Ctrls> Compress Numbers.

22. Select All for Item to be compressed and click OK.

23. Select Utility Menu> Plot> Volumes.

2.8.4.6. Mesh Geometry

1. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Meshing> Meshtool.

2. Under Element Attributes, choose Global and click Set.

3. Set the Material number to 1 and click OK.

4. Be sure smart sizing is off and click Mesh.

5. Pick volumes 4 and 5 (the two annular plates) and click OK in the picking menu.

6. Select Utility Menu> Plot> Volumes.

7. In the MeshTool dialog box, choose Global and click Set under Element A ttributes.

8. Set the Material number to 2 and click OK.

9. Click Mesh.

10. Pick volumes 1, 2, and 3 and click OK in the picking menu.

11. Close the MeshTool dialog box.

12. Select Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Numbering.

13. Choose Material numbers for Elem/Attrib numbering and clickOK.

14. Select Utility Menu> Plot> Elements.

15. Select Main Menu> Preprocessor> Sections> Pretension> Pretensn Mesh> With Options> Divide at Valu> Elements in Volu.

16. Pick volume 1 and click OK in the picker.

17. Enter the following information in the dialog box and click OK:

NA ME: Example
KCN: Global Cartesian
KDIR: Z-axis
VA LUE: 0.5
ECOMP: elems

18. Select Utility Menu> Select> Comp/Assembly> Create Component.

19. Enter Line for the Component name (Cname).

20. Choose Lines for the Entity and click OK.

21. Select Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> View Settings> Magnification.

22. Choose User Specified.

23. Enter 1.1 for the User specified distance and click OK.

24. Select Utility Menu> Plot> Components> Selected Components.

2.8.4.7. Solution: Apply Pretension

1. Select Main Menu> Solution> Analysis Type> Sol'n Controls.

2. Click on the Sol'n Options tab.

3. Choose Precondition CG under Equation Solvers and click OK.

4. Select Utility Menu> Select> Entities.

5. Choose Areas, By Location, and Y-coordinates and click OK.

6. Select Main Menu> Solution> Define Loads> Apply> Structural> Displacement> Symmetry B.C.> On Areas.

7. Click Pick All.

8. Select Utility Menu> Select> Entities.

9. Make sure Areas are still selected and click Sele All.

10. Click OK.

11. Select Main Menu> Solution> Define Loads> Apply> Structural> Displacement> On Keypoints.

12. Pick the middle keypoint on the bottom of the bolt (KeyP No. = 1) and click OK in the picker.

13. Choose UX and UZ for DOFs to be constrained (Lab2) and click Apply to accept your choices and return to the picker.

14. Pick the middle keypoint on the top of the bolt (KeyP No. = 12) and click OK in the picker.

15. Choose UX for DOFs to be constrained (Lab2) and click OK.

16. Select Main Menu> Solution> Define Loads> Apply> Structural> Pretensn Sectn.

17. Choose 1 Example under Pretension Sections.

18. Enter 100 for Force (under Pretension Load) and click OK.

19. Select Utility Menu> File> Change Title.

20. Change the title to “Sample Application of PSMESH - Preload Only” and click OK.

21. Select Main Menu> Solution> Solve> Current LS.

22. Review the information in the /STATUS Command window and click OK to begin the solution.

23. Click Close when the Solution is Done message appears.

2.8.4.8. Postprocessing: Pretension Results

1. Select Main Menu> General Postproc> Plot Results> Contour Plot> Nodal Solu. The Contour Nodal Solution Data dialog box appears.

2. Select Stress from the scroll box on the left and Z-direction (SZ) from the scroll box on the right and click OK.

2.8.4.9. Solution: Apply Thermal Gradient

1. Select Main Menu> Solution> Analysis Type> Restart. Close any warning messages that appear.

2. Select Main Menu> Solution> Define Loads> Settings> Uniform Temp.

3. Enter 150 for the uniform temperature and click OK.

4. Select Utility Menu> File> Change Title.

5. Change the title to “Sample Application of PSMESH - Uniform 150 deg” and click OK.

6. Select Main Menu> Solution> Solve> Current LS.

2.8.4.10. Postprocessing: Pretension and Thermal Results

1. Select Main Menu> General Postproc> Plot Results> Contour Plot> Nodal Solu. The Contour Nodal Solution Data dialog box appears.

2. Select Stress from the scroll box on the left and Z-direction (SZ) from the scroll box on the right and click OK.

2.8.4.11. Exit ANSYS

1. Choose QUIT from the Toolbar.

2. Choose Quit - No Save!

3. Click on OK.

Release 15.0 - © SAS IP, Inc. All rights reserved.