Introduction
The complexity of the simple nut and bolt is frequently underestimated.
A fully tightened bolt does not perform like a loose bolt.
A fully tightened bolted joint can sustain millions of load
cycles without problems, a joint consisting of untightened
bolts will frequently fail within a few cycles. The reason
for this is the way a bolted joint carries an external load
- a fully tightened bolt sustains only a small proportion
of any externally applied load. This tutorial seeks to explain
why this occurs. 
Presented in this tutorial are details about the basics of bolted joint technology and in particular on the mechanics of the load transfer mechanism involved in such joints. There are a number of pages to this tutorial covering the topic from the basics. Additional pages are being added as and when time permits. Bolt Science is committed to providing assistance on bolted joint technologies to individuals, companies and other organisations. If you have a question on any of the topics - why not email us and we will try to answer your query.
Why
is preload important - why bolt's clamp force vital?
How a bolted joint sustains an applied force
Joint Diagram with an external force applied
The effect of a high external force on a joint
The effect of a compressive external force on a joint
The Effect of Joint Deformation loss due to Embedding
Bolt Preload Variation due to the Tightening Method
Bolted Joint Analysis using Preload Requirement Charts
Click Here for Further details about Bolt Science Training Courses