Statistical Model for Pressure Distribution of Bolted Joints

Abstract

This paper proposes the use of the Weibull probability density distribution to predict the shape of the contact pressure distribution in bolted metal joints. Contact pressure distributions in bolted joints were measured using a commercially available pressure-sensitive film. Three different joint materials were analyzed: aluminum- aluminum, stainless steel-stainless steel, and aluminum-stainless steel. The metal plates were circular and bolted together through a hole at their center. Two bolt head radii were employed. Five different axial loads were applied for each bolted joint configuration. The agreement was very good between the correlations, based on the Weibull distribution and the data. The results indicate that the Weibull function is an adequate model for the shape of the contact pressure distribution of bolted joints.