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Old 11-02-2005, 02:01 PM
Matt L Matt L is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,263
Bolt stretch and Hookes law

The problem that I see here, is getting the correct clamping force using studs and nuts. How do you accurately determine how much force is given by the installed stock bolt? This will be different than the force applied by the threads as you torque the bolt.

Note that all bolts and studs stretch when installed. It is the elastic force of the bolt or stud that is important, and the torque (for studs and nuts) or the plastic stretch (for these type of bolts) that determines this force.

The plastic stretch of the bolt ensures that the pressure is evenly applied across the head, given that the bolts are properly designed. Now, with studs, you would want to keep the same clamping force. However, you also want the same clamping force once the head expands with heat. So the studs should stretch with force at *exactly* the same rate (hookean factor - making the assumption that the deformed bolt is close to hookean) as the pre-stretched stock bolts.

Seems pretty much impossible. I wouldn't try it.
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