EXPERIMENT #4

DETERMINATION OF EXTERNAL FORCE

COEFFICIENT OF THREADED JOINTS
Compiler: Nguyen Huu Loc, Le Thanh Long

I. Aim
- Help students understand clearly about the method of determination of the
external force coefficient by theory.
- Help students calculate the tightening force in the case of force acting in any
direction.
- Help students approach to the methods, instruments and determine the tightening
force, deal with the experimental results to determine the external force
coefficient.

II. Technical rules on safety

Students must comply with the technical rules on safety in the laboratory.

III. Fundamental theory

1. External force coefficient χ
When the joint is subjected to the external force in the non-sealed surface limitation of
assemble plates, the bolt is elongated about ∆l in length, the compression deformation of
the assemble plates also reduces the same length. This means that only a part of external
force F (χ) acting on a bolt causes the extension. The other part of external force ((1- χ)F)
causes the decrease of the compression deformation of the assemble plates. χ is called
the external force coefficient [1]. Therefore:
∆ l= χF λ b=( 1− χ ) F λm

where λ b, λ m are the flexibility of bolt and assembled parts, respectively.

As a result,
λm
χ=
λb+ λm
The flexibility of the bolt λ b is determined by formula:

1
 l
λ b=
Eb A b

where l - Calculated length of bolt, equals to the length of the bolt axially in one turn
between the two surfaces (with nut and bolt head) plus one half of the length of the screw
thread (1/2 nut height).
Eb - The elastic module of the bolt material.
Ab - Sectional area of bolt.

The flexibility of the assemble plates is determined by the deformation hypothesis

that occurs in “Pressure cone”. It has a top angle θ=arctan ⁡(0.5) or θ=27° (Fig. 1b, c).
When caculating, the cone is replaced by the empty cylinder, inner diameter d o (hole
diameter) and outer diameter D1(Fig. 1d):
δ 1+ δ 2
D1=D0 +
4

Fig. 1. Calculating Model [1].

The sectional area of the empty cylinder:
π 2 2
Am = ( D −d )
4 1 0
The formula calculating the flexibility of the assemble plates (in the case of Fig.1)
2
 δ 1 +δ 2
λ m=
Em A m
where Em : The elastic module of material of the assemble plates.(Suppose the assemble
plates are made from the same material).
When the bolts have a large flexibility and the flexibility of assemble plates is small,
coefficient χ is small and almost all external forces are used to reduce the load on the
assemble plates. In contrast, most of the external forces acted on bolts.
For steel or cast iron assemble plates, the steel bolt; the value of the coefficient of
external force χ is selected in 0.2 ÷ 0.3.

2. The tightening force of bolt

In fact, the load acting on the thread joint is in any direction, for example, the bolts
holding the gearbox or the machine body exists the force acting from the external drive
(belt, chain, ...) in any direction.
Suppose that the joint subjected to the load which has any direction is in the YY
symmetric plane YY (Fig. 2). We consider that the assemble plates are hard enough and
the arranged bolts are homogeneous in the joints.
External force F is divided into two components: perpendicular to assemble surface
FV and parallel to assemble surface FH. Shift FV and FH back at the axis throughout the
centroid (C) of the bolts group, we have the moment of couple:
M =F H l 1 ± FV l 2

The centroid coordinate of bolts group is determined by the method taking the static
moment for one axis divided by the area. In reality, the bolts group has usually two
symmetric axes and the center of gravity is intersection point of the two axes.
The load FV and moment M tend to separate the assemble surfaces, while F H makes
the assemble plate slip. For assembled machine element avoid segregation and no slip,
the bolt need to be tightened with the tightening force V.
The load FV and moment M are divided into two parts: first part (F b and Mb) acts on
the bolt, second part (Fm and Mm) acts on the assembled part. We have:

3
 }
λm
F b= χ F V = FV
λb + λm
λb
F m=(1− χ )F V = F
λ b + λm V
λ
M b= χM = m M
λ b + λm
λb
M m= ( 1− χ ) M = M
λb + λ m

Let z be the number of bolts in joint, we calculate the required tightening force F V for
the bolt subjected to the maximal load so that the joint is not segregated.
a- Calculation of unsegregated joint
Before the external force FV is acted, the joint is subjected to bearing stress (Fig.2a)
due to tighten the bolts
zV
σ V=
Am

where Am is area of assembled surface.

Under the effect of force Fm (the force FV acting on the assembled machine elements),
the bearing stress on surface is reduced (Fig. 2b):
Fm
σ F=
Am
Fig. 2c displays the distribution rule of stress induced by the moment M m (the effect
of M on the assembled parts). The maximum value of this stress:
M m M m yc
σ M= =
Wm Jm
where W m – bending moment of assembled surface; J m - inertial moment of assembled
surface for axis XX; y c - the position from the outermost point (the greatest bending
stress) to the axis XX.
The total stress is shown by a graph (Fig. 2d).

4
 Fig. 2.
The area of the assemble surface is usually quite large compared to the area of bolt
hole, so Am and W m can be considered as A and W (area and bending moment of the raw
section, neglect the holes). Therefore, it can be written as:
max zV F m M m
σ min = − ±
A A W
With the condition of joint which is not separated, we have: σ min >0
Or:
zV (1− χ ) F v ( 1− χ ) M
− − ≥0
A A W
We calculate the required tightening force V for each bolt:

V>
1
(
F +
z V W
MA
)
( 1− χ )

For safety:

5
 ) ( )
M Ay
V=
k
z (
FV +
MA k
W
= FV +
z J
( 1− χ ) c
(1)

where k (1,3 ÷ 2) is the safety factor to ensure that the joint is not separated.
b- The conditions for ensuring no slip-joint:
For the joint used assembled bolt with the gap between the hole and the bolt body (do
not use details such as pin, …), in order to keep the assembled plate no slip, the force F H
might be resisted by the friction force generated on the assembled surface.
The joint is no slip if the force FH is less than the maximum friction force. It means:
f ( zV −F m ) > F H

To be safe:
f ( zV −F m )=k F H

where k = 1,3 ÷ 2.
Therefore, the tightening force V is:
k F H + ( 1− χ ) f FV
V= (2)
fz
In case of the large force FH, we use unsegregated bolt or special details such as key,
pin, … to prevent slippage. Here, the segregated bolt is only subjected to the load with
the tendency of segregated joint.

3. Calculating the equivalent traction

To calculate the equivalent traction of bolt, we take the tightening force V which is
larger value among the two values found in formulas (1) and (2).
Besides the tightening force V, under the external force effect, each bolt is subjected
to the forces and forces induced by Fb and Mb. The force Fb acts on each bolt with a force
Fb/z. Because of the effect of Mb, the unequal force acts on the bolt. The distance from the
outermost bolts at the left side to the rotating axis XX is the longest (Y 1). These bolts are
subjected to the maximum traction.
The magnitude of traction FM1 caused by the moment Mb is determined by the
formula:
MbY1 χM Y 1
F M 1= =
∑ z i Y ∑ z i Y 2i
2
i

6
 If we take into account the torsional stress component caused by the moment on the
thread Tr, we need to multiply the tightening force V with 1.3. Here, the equivalent
traction Ftd is written as:
Fb χ F V χM Y 1
V tn =F td =1 ,3 V + + F M 1=V 0+ +
z z ∑ z i Y 2i
In this experiment, Ftd is obtained by the measured results. We denote V tn = Ftd; V0 =
1,3Vmax is the initial tightening force, where the V max is the maximum value among the
two values of V. It is calculated by the formulas (1) and (2).

IV. Experimental description

The model used to determine the external coefficient χ consists of the components as
shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4. Experimental model used to determine the external coefficient χ: 1. Bolt; 2.

Bracket; 3. Assembled plate; 4. Rod for creating the force; 5. Hydraulic system; 6.
Display screen; 7. Angle of inclination (α) adjustment.
- The simple joint consists of bolt, nut, ring and two assembled plates. Where the
mechanical properties of bolt material must be determined.
- The wrench is used to determine the tightening moment and initial tightening force
Vmax as shown in Fig. 5.
7
 a) Mechanical wrench b) Electronic wrench
Fig. 5. The wrench used to determine the tightening force.

- Load cell or ultrasound device can be used to determine the tightening force, consists
of measuring heads and processors and output signals.
The experiment is performed by determining the initial tightening moment V 0
through the wrench and determining the tightening force through the load cell or
ultrasonic on a selected bolt joint. By determining the ratio of the tightening moment and
tightening force, we determine the external force coefficient χ.

V tn =F tđ =1 , 3 V max +
Fb
z (
+ F M 1=V 0 + χ
FV
+
M Y1
z ∑ zi Y 2i )
V. Experimental sequence
1. Selecting the required bolts for experiment, determining the nominal diameter and
parameters of material of bolts.
2. Given the largest force F and angle of inclination α. From these values F and α, we
determine the tightening force V through equations (1) and (2). V max is the
maximum value of these two values.
3. Installing and adjusting the devices measured the tightening force.
Installing load cell on the joint and on signal processing devices (display machine
or computer) as shown in Fig. 6.
4. Carry out tightening the bolt with the tightening force Vmax by using the wrench
and observe the results displayed on the load cell machine.
5. Then, increasing the load by the hydraulic cylinder 5 with F 1, F2, …, FN,
respectively (these values are less than the given force F). We obtain V tn1, Vtn2, …,
VtnN.

8
 Fig. 6. How to install loadcell on the joint.
From these values, we determine:
F Vi=F i sin α
F Hi=F i cos α
M i=F Hi l 1 ± FVi l 2

Record the results of tightening moment, tightening force by load cell method into
the table.

V tn 1=V 0 + χ
( FV 1 M 1 Y 1
+
z ∑ z i Y 2i )
V tn 2=V 0 + χ
( FV 2 M 2 Y 1
+
z ∑ z i Y 2i )
…

V tnN =V 0+ χ
( F N1 MN Y 1
+
z ∑ z i Y 2i )
where V0 = 1,3Vmax; Vmax is the initial tightening force of bolt.
6. Calculating the external force coefficient χ and put it into the data table.
Here, the external force coefficient is determined by the formula:

9
 ( F i−F 1 )
χ i=

( F Vi−F V 1 ( M i−M 1 ) Y 1
z
+
∑ z i Y 2i )
And the average value of the external force coefficient through N measured times:
χ 1 + χ 2+ …+ χ N−1
χ=
N −1
7. Comments and conclusions.

References
1. Nguyễn Hữu Lộc. Giáo trình Cơ sở thiết kế máy. NXB Đại học Quốc Gia TP Hồ
Chí Minh. 2016.

10
 EXPERIMENTAL REPORT
HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Department of machine design

EXPERIMENT #4

DETERMINATION OF EXTERNAL
COEFFICIENT OF THREADED JOINTS

Student’s name:

Group:
Class:
Advisor:

11
I. Aim
- Help students understand clearly about the method of determination of the
external force coefficient by theory.
- Help students calculate the tightening force in the case of force acting in any
direction.
- Help students approach to the methods, instruments and determine the tightening
force, deal with the experimental results to determine the external force
coefficient.

II. Technical rules on safety

Students must comply with the technical rules on safety in the laboratory.

III. Experimental report

Each group was assigned variously an angle of inclination α and a force value F
Angle of inclination , degree = (range 30° ≥  ≥ -30° )
The maximum force F, N = (F < 10000N)
The force difference ∆ F=¿

Fig. 1. Model of experimental calculation.

12
 1. Theoretical calculation of the external force coefficient
Measuring the size of bolts and assembled details to determine the external force
coefficient by using theory.
2. Calculating the tightening force V
According to formulas (1) and (2), selecting Vmax for these two values.
Note: The tightening force for surfaces not separated is defined by the formula:
k ( F V l 1 ± F H l 2 ) A y max
V= ( ' '
−F V )(1− χ )
z Jx x
where inertial moment J X X : ' '

ab
3
( a−d ) c 3 d b3 ( a−d ) ( b3−c 3)
JX X=' ' −2 − =
12 2∗12 12 12
( a−d ) ( b3 −c 3 ) (150−50 ) ( 3003−100 3 )
JX X=' ' =
12 12
The contacted area A:
A=( a−d ) ( b−c )
Distance ymax:
b
y max =
2
Tightening the bolt with the tightening force V = Vmax (using equations 1 and 2) and
checking by measuring device.
3. Measured results and process
We increase the load by hydraulic cylinder 5 to reach values: F 1, F2, ... FN (Table 1).
They occur on the display screen (these values are less than F) and fill in column 2 of
Table 1. The values Fi = F – i∆F
Write down the value of tightening moment, tightening force Vtni by load cell method
and put them into columns 3, 4 of Tables 1.
4. Calculate the external force
Calculating the following values:
F Vi=F i sinα
F Hi=F i cosα
M i=F Hi l 1 ± FVi l 2
And put these values into column 5, 6 of Table 1.
13
 In this experiment, l2 = 0 và Yi = e/2, therefore Mi = FHil1

V tn 1=V 0 + χ
( FV 1 M 1 Y 1
+
z ∑ zi Y i2
)
=V 0 + χ
z
+ (
FV 1 F Hi l 1 ± F Vi l 2
2e )
V tn 2=V 0 + χ
( FV 2 M 1 Y 1
+
z ∑ zi Y i2
)
=V 0 + χ
z
+(
F V 2 F Hi l 1 ± F Vi l 2
2e )
…

V tnN =V 0+ χ
( F VN M 1 Y 1
+
z ∑ zi Y i2
)
=V 0+ χ
z
+ (
F VN F Hi l 1 ± F Vi l 2
2e )
Here, the external force coefficient χ is determined by the formula:
V tni−V tn 1
χ i=
FVi −F V 1 ( F Hi−F H 1 ) l 1 + ( F Vi ± F H 1 ) l 1
+
z 2e
According to the experimental model, z = 4; e=200 mm; l 1 = xx mm; l2 = xx mm and
then write down the results into column 7 of Table 1.
Therefore, the average value of external force coefficient through N measuring times
χ 1 + χ 2+ …+ χ N−1
χ= (3)
N −1

Table 1. The experimental results

No Force Fi, N Tightening force Force FVi, N Force FHi, N The χ coefficient
Vtni, N of the formula (3)

1 F1=F-ΔF
2 F1=F-2ΔF
3 F1=F-3ΔF
4 F1=F-4ΔF
5 F1=F-5ΔF
6 F1=F-6ΔF

From the experimental results, plotting the curve illustrated the relationship
between χi and Fi.

14
 Fig. 2. The chart of the curve shown dependence of χi and Fi.

IV.Discussion and conclusions

Comparing the theoretical results with experimental results and then drawing
conclusions.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

V. Review questions
1. The role and importance of determining the tightening force and the tightening
moment in reality.
2. The meaning of the external force coefficient χ and determining this coefficient by
the fundamental theory.
3. Determining the required tightening force of the bolt to avoid segregation and slip.
4. Comparing the tightening coefficient in the cases of the joint with and without
lubrication, and then drawing conclusions.

15