What is the best way to simulate a bolted connection in Simsolid?

Question

Until now I simulated it with a bonded pin and a sliding without friction contact between the parts, but I'm asking myself if this is the best way to simulate it. I have to use it in a large assembly.

Paul Leroy · Answer

Hi, I have the same question as Chiara : What are the best contacts conditions in order to simulate the bolts ?  (conditions between the screw, the nut, the first part and the second part of the assembly).

By default, Simsolid create sliding contacts without friction between parts, as well as bounded contacts between the nut and the screw, under the screw head & between the nut and the second part of the assembly. (cf. attachment 1).

It might be more realistic to have separating contacts instead of the sliding contacts ? (cf. attachment 2)

What are the best contact conditions ?

Thanks for your help,

Paul

default_connections_bolts.PNG

Separating_connections_bolts.PNG

Chayan · Answer

Chiara, Have you tried using the Nut tightening option to simulate bolted joints in SimSolid?

https://2021.help.altair.com/2021.1/ss/topics/tutorials/ss/intro_hanger_beam_nonlinear_separating_contact_r.htm#reference_pbn_zns_kjb