Threaded Fasteners

Non-permanent Joints
Bolted
Connections Power screws
Terminology of screw threads. Sharp V- threads shown for clarity; the crests
and roots are actually flattened or rounded during the forming operation
Major diameter d, Minor diameter dr Mean dia or pitch diameter dp, Lead l, distance the nut moves for one
turn rotation
The pitch is the distance between adjacent thread forms measured parallel to the thread
axis. The pitch in U.S. units is the reciprocal of the number of thread forms per inch N.
A parameter that can be used instead of pitch is threads per meter, n. Pitch and threads per
meter are related by

The major diameter d is the largest diameter of a screw thread

The minor (or root) diameter (dr) is the smallest diameter of a screw thread.

The pitch diameter (dp ) is a theoretical diameter between the major and minor diameters.

The lead l, is the distance the nut moves parallel to the screw axis when the nut is given one
turn. For a single thread, as in Fig, the lead is the same as the pitch.
Another thread parameter is lead, which is the distance that the screw or bolt would advance
relative to the nut in one revolution. For a single-threaded screw, l = p, and for a double
threaded screw, l = 2p, etc. Figure shows the differences between single-, double-, and triple-
threaded screws.

(a) Single-, (b) double-, and (c) triple-threaded screws.

All threads are made according to the right-hand rule unless otherwise noted. That is, if the
bolt is turned clockwise, the bolt advances toward the nut.
Basic thread profile

Figure shows the thread geometry of the metric M and MJ profiles. The M profile replaces
the inch class and is the basic ISO 68 profile with 60 0 symmetric threads. The MJ profile has a
rounded fillet at the root of the external thread and a larger minor diameter of both the
internal and external threads. This profile is especially useful where high fatigue strength is
required.
The coarse series is most common and is recommended for ordinary applications, especially where
repeated insertions and removals of the screw are required or where the screw is threaded into a softer
material.
Fine threads are more resistant to loosening from vibrations than coarse threads because of their smaller
helix angle and so are used in automobiles, aircraft, and other applications that are subject to vibration.
Extra-fine-series threads are used where wall thickness is limited and their short threads are an
advantage.
Metric thread specification
Tensile Stress Area Tensile stress area, Refer Table 9.8, Column 9, Page 140-144,

A tensile-stress area At is defined as

ISO threads:

UNS threads:

with d= outside diameter, N= number of threads per inch, and p= pitch in mm

The stress in a threaded rod due to a pure axial tensile load F is then
Diameters and Areas of Coarse-Pitch and Fine Pitch
Metric Threads.*
Square, Acme, and Buttress Threads
Standard hexagonal-head bolt
Hexagonal nuts: (a) end view, general; (b) washer-faced regular nut; (c)
regular nut chamfered on both sides; (d) jam nut with washer face; (e) jam
nut chamfered on both sides
1. Never re-use nuts;
2. Tightening should be done such that 1 or 2 threads come out of the nut;
3. Washers should always be used under bolt head to prevent burr stress concentration.
Jam nut or lock nut
Three types of threaded fastener

(a) Bolt and nut; (b) cap screw; (c) stud

Common types of
bolts and screws.
 Common nuts and
washers for use with
threaded fasteners.
 Tightening Torque
The clamping load is created in the bolt or the screw by exerting a tightening torque on the nut
or on the head of the screw. An approximate relationship between the torque and the axial
tensile force in the bolt or screw (the clamping force) is

T=KDP Refer 9.1(d), Page 127

Where T=torque, N.m or N.mm D=nominal

outside diameter of threads, mm
P=clamping load, N
K= constant dependent on the lubrication
present
For average commercial conditions, use K=0.15 if
any lubrication at all is present. If the threads are
well cleaned and dried, K=0.20 is better. Of
course, these values are approximate, and
variations among seemingly identical assemblies
should be expected. Testing and statistical
analysis of the results are recommended.
 Initial Stresses in the bolt
Initial Tightening Force

The following stresses are induced in a bolt, screw or stud when it is screwed up tightly.
1. Tensile stress due to stretching of bolt. The initial tension in a bolt, based on
experiments, may be found by the relation
Fi = 2805 d N Refer 9.1(C), Page 127
Where Fi = Initial tension in a bolt, and
d= Nominal diameter of bolt, in mm.
The above relation is used for making a joint fluid tight like steam engine cylinder cover joints
etc.

Direct Tensile Stresses

2.Torsional shear stress caused by the frictional resistance of the threads
during its tightening. The torsional shear stress caused by the frictional
resistance of the threads during its tightening may be obtained by using the
torsion equation.
Shear stress across the threads

The average thread shearing stress for the screw (τs) is obtained by using the
relation :

b= Width of the thread section at the root; N = number of threads

The average thread shearing stress for the nut is

d= Major diameter.
Compression or crushing stress on threads. The compression or crushing
stress between the threads (σc) may be obtained by using the relation :
Joints—Fastener Stiffness
A bolted connection loaded in tension by the
forces P. Note the use of two washers. Note
how the threads extend into the body of the
connection. This is usual and is desired. L is
the grip of the connection
The purpose of the bolt is to clamp the two, or more,
parts together. Twisting the nut stretches the bolt to
produce the clamping force. This clamping force is
called the pretension or bolt preload. It exists in the
connection after the nut has been properly tightened no
matter whether the external tensile load P is exerted or
not.
Joints:
Fasteners
Stiffness
External force on bolted joints

Refer Fig.9.1, Page 128

Bolted assembly subjected to external force
Fi = Pre-load
When the external force F is applied which results in an increase in the length
of the bolt and a decrease in deformation of the parts . These deformations are
a function of stiffness of the bolt and the connected parts.

Increase in length of bolt= Fb = force shared by the bolt

Deformation of part= Fp= force shared by the part

kb= stiffness of the bolt

A, E, and l are cross-sectional
area, modulus of elasticity
and length respectively
kp= stiffness of the part
These two changes in deformation should be equal so that the parts are not separated.

𝐹𝑏 𝐹𝑝
= (A)
𝑘𝑏 𝑘𝑝
And the total external force is sum of the two individual forces
F= Fb + Fp (B)

Solving equations A and B, we get

Force shared by the bolt, F b= F

Force shared by the part, Fp= F

Thus, the total force on the bolt Fb,t= Fb+Fi
Fb= F+

Fb,t= kF+Fi Refer 9.2(a), Page 128

The term k is called the gasket factor and may have value between 0 and 1.
Typical values gasket factor for various types of gaskets are

Table 9.1, Page 136

Gasket joint
Refer 9.2(b), Page 128
Bolts Subjected to variable load

When a bolted joint is subjected to an external variable load, as observed in the

connecting rod and cylinder head bolts of IC engine, the Soderberg equation of
fatigue can be used.
Let us assume that the bolt is subjected to a load varying from Fmax to Fmin. The total
load on the bolt will be
Fb,max= kFmax+Fi
Fb,min= kFmin+Fi

The mean and amplitude forces on the bolt will be

Fb,m= Fb,a=
 The mean stress induced in the bolt

σb,m=

The amplitude stress induced in the bolt

Where As is the tensile area
σb,a= resisting failure

Using the Soderberg failure criteria, the bolt size may be determined by
the equation
Refer 2.21(c)- 2.21 (e), Page 25
𝜎 𝑏, 𝑚 𝜎 𝑏,𝑎 1 Kf = fatigue stress concentration factor
+𝐾 𝑓 = = 2.2-3.0 for rolled threads
𝜎𝑦 𝜎 𝑒𝑛 𝑛 = 2.8-3.8 for machined threads
An compressor cylinder of effective diameter 300 mm is subjected to air pressure 1.5 MPa. The
cylinder head is connected by means of 8 bolts having yield strength of 350 MPa and endurance
limit of 240 MPa. The bolts are tightened with an initial pre-load force of 1.5 times that of the
external force. A copper gasket is used to make the joint leak-proof (k =0.25). Assume stress
concentration factor of 2.5 and factor of safety of 2. Determine the required size of the bolt.

Given
D =300 mm
Maximum gas force = π/4 x D2 x pmax
Pmax =1.5 MPa = 106.03 kN
N=8 bolts
External force per bolt, F= 106.03/8 = 13.26 kN
σen=240 MPa
σy=350 Mpa Initial tension, Fi= 1.5 F= 1.5 x 13.26 =19.89 kN
Fi=1.5 F External force on the bolt varies from 0 to 13.26 kN
Kt= 2.5 Fmax =13.26 kN and Fmin =0 kN
k=0.25
Maximum force on a bolt, Fb,max= kFmax+Fi
Fb,max= 23.205 kN
 Minimum force on a bolt,Fb,min= kFmin+Fi
Fb,min= 19.89 kN
The mean and amplitude forces on the bolt will be

Fb,m= = 21.54 kN σb,m= Where As is the

tensile area
resisting failure
Fb,a= = 1.65 kN σb,a=

𝜎 𝑏, 𝑚 𝜎 𝑏,𝑎 1 From table M16 x1.5 bolt having stress

+𝐾 𝑓 = As = 157.6 mm 2
area of 157 mm2
𝜎𝑦 𝜎 𝑒𝑛 𝑛
 Bolts of Uniform Strength When a bolt is subjected to shock loading, as in case of a
cylinder head bolt of an internal combustion engine, the
resilience of the bolt should be considered in order to prevent
breakage at the thread.
The stress in the threaded part of the bolt will be higher than
that in the shank. Hence a great portion of the energy will be
absorbed at the region of the threaded part which may fracture
the threaded portion because of its small length.
If the shank of the bolt is turned down to a diameter equal
or even slightly less than the core diameter of the thread
(dc) as shown in Fig. (b), then shank of the bolt will
undergo a higher stress. This means that a shank will
absorb a large portion of the energy, thus relieving the
material at the sections near the thread. The bolt, in this
where, way, becomes stronger and lighter and it increases the
d= nominal or major diameter of the bolt shock absorbing capacity of the bolt because of an
dc= core or minor diameter of the threads increased modulus of resilience. This gives us
d1= diameter of the hole bolts of uniform strength.
Eccentrically loaded Bolted Joints
The shear force on each bolt
Eccentric load perpendicular to axis of bolt
Direct shear force
(1)

The moment (Pxe) tends to tilt the

bracket about the edge C. Each bolt is
stretched by an amount (δ) which is
proportional to its vertical distance
from the point C. Or

Refer Fig.9.2, Eq.9.7(a)-9.7(d), Page 130 Also,

force stress because [P= σA]
stress strain because [σ= Eϵ]
strain stretch because [ϵ= δ/l]
Therefore, it can be concluded that the resisting force induced in any bolt, due to the tendency
of the bracket to tilt under the moment (Pxe), is proportional to its distance from the tilting
edge. If P″1P″2 , are the resisting forces induced in the bolts,

where C is the constant of proportionality. Equating the moment due

to resisting forces with the moment due to external force P about the
(a)
edge C,

(b)

Substituting (a) in (b),

(c)
From (a) and (c),

The bolts denoted by 1 are

subjected to maximum force. In
general, a bolt, which is located at
the farthest distance from the
tilting edge C, is subjected to
maximum force.

(2)

Equations (1) and (2) give shear and tensile forces that act on the bolt due to eccentric load
perpendicular to the axis of the bolts. The direct shear stress in the bolt is given by,

The tensile stress in the bolt is given by,

where A is the cross-sectional area of the bolt at the minor or core diameter.
The bolts can be designed on the basis of principal stress theory or principal shear stress theory.

The principal stress σ1 is given by,

Refer 1.5(a), Page 3

(3)

The principal shear stress is given by,

Refer 1.5(b), Page 3

(4)
The following data is given for the bracket illustrated in Fig.(a). P = 25 kN e =
100 mm l1 = 150 mm l2 = 25 mm. There is no pre-load in the bolts. The bolts
are made of plain carbon steel 45C8 (Syt = 380 N/mm2) and the factor of safety
is 2.5. Using the maximum shear stress theory, specify the size of the bolts.
Permissible shear stress

Direct shear stress in bolt

The direct shear stress is given by,

where A is area at core cross-section.

Tensile stress in bolt

The bolts 1 are subjected to maximum forces. The tensile stress in these bolts is given by,
Principal shear stress in bolt

Equating the value of (τmax) to permissible shear stress,

M12, Refer Table 9.8: Column (9), Page 141

A bracket is fastened to the steel structure by means of six identical bolts as shown in Fig. Assume the
following data: l1= 300 mm l2= 200 mm, l3= 100 mm, l = 250 mm P = 50 kN. Neglecting shear stress,
determine the size of the bolts, if the maximum permissible tensile stress in any bolt is limited to 100
N/mm2
.

The standard size of the bolts is M16 (A= 157 mm2).

M16, Refer: Table 9.8, Column (9), Page 141
Eccentric Load Acting Parallel to the Axis of Bolts

The bolts are subjected to

following stresses:
(i) Direct tensile stress due to
load P.
(ii) Tensile stress due to
tendency of the bracket to tilt in
clockwise direction about the
edge C.

(i) Direct tensile stress due to load P.

(i)

when the load tends to tilt the bracket about the edge C, each bolt is stretched by an amount (δ),
which is proportional to its distance from the tilting edge.
 force stress because [P= σA]
stress strain because [σ= Eϵ]
strain stretch because [ϵ= δ/l]
Therefore, it can be concluded that the resisting force acting on the bolt due to the tendency of
bracket to tilt, is proportional to its distance from the tilting edge. The bolts at A are denoted
by 1 and bolts at B by 2. Suppose C is the load in the bolt per unit distance from the tilting
edge, due to the tilting effect of the bracket. Then forces acting on the bolts are given by,

Equating the moments of these resisting forces about the tilting edge to the moment due to the
external force
The maximum force will act on bolts denoted by 2. From (a) and (b),

(ii)

Resultant tensile force

Adding (i) and (ii), the total tensile force on the bolts denoted by 2, is given by
A crane-runway bracket is fastened to the roof truss by means of two identical
bolts as shown in Fig. Determine the size of the bolts, if the permissible tensile
stress in the bolts is limited to 75 N/mm2.
.
P= 20 kN e= 550 mm (σt)max. = 75 N/mm2
Direct tensile force

Tensile force due to the tendency of bracket to tilt

where l1 and l2 are the distances of the axis of bolts from the edge C. Therefore,

where C is the constant of proportionality. Equating the moment of resisting forces with the
moment due to external force about the edge C,
Resultant tensile force
Bolt 1 is located at the farthest distance from the tilting edge C. Therefore, it is
subjected to maximum tensile force. From (i) and (ii), the total tensile force
acting on the bolt 1 is (10 000 +24 146.34) or 34 146.34 N.

Size of bolts A (σt)max.= 34146.34 or A (75) = 34146.34 N

A= 455.28 mm2, From Table, the standard size of the bolts is M 27 (A= 459 mm2).

M27, Refer: Column (9), Page 142

Eccentric load on circular base

when the load tends to tilt the bearing about the point C, each bolt is stretched by an amount (δ), which
is proportional to its vertical distance from the point C. Or
Therefore, it can be concluded that the resisting force acting on any bolt due to
the tendency of the bearing to tilt, is proportional to its distance from the tilting
edge.
If P1,P2… are the resisting forces induced in the bolts

where C is the constant of proportionality. Equating the moment due to the external force P
about C with the moments due to resisting forces,
From, (a) and (c), the force acting on the bolt 1 is given by,

a= radius of the flange

b= radius of pitch circle of the bolts.

Refer Fig.9.3, Eq.9.8(a)-9.8(b), Page 131

A bearing shown in the Fig. is fastened to a frame by 4 bolts spaced equally on a 400 mm bolt circle.
The bearing flange diameter is 500 mm and a load of 20 kN is applied at 250 mm from the frame. The
bolt material is 40C8 (σy = 360 MPa) and take factor of safety 3. Determine size of the bolt. Dimensions
are in millimeters.
Direct shear force =250-200 cos25=68.73 mm

=250 + 200 sin25=334.52 mm

=250+200 cos25= 431.26 mm

P=20 kN
No. of bolts = 4 =250-200 sin25= 165.47mm

= 5 kN
 =6535.54 N

e=25o mm = l

Refer Eq.9.7(c), Page 130 M16, Refer: Table 9.8, Column (9), Page 141
Eccentric loading in the plane containing the bolts

When the eccentric load acts in the plane containing the

bolts as shown in Fig. then the same procedure may be
followed as discussed for eccentric loaded riveted joints.

Refer Fig.9.4, Eq.9.9(a)-9.9(g),Page 132