TY - JOUR N2 - A numerical analysis of the initially clamped bolt joint subject to the working pressure is presented in the paper. Special, hexahedral 21- and 28-node isoparametric finite elements have been employed to model the contact zone. In this model, one takes into account loading due to the working pressure in the gap between the gasket and the flange arising as an effect of the progressing joint opening, what has not been considered in recent papers. Nonlinear stiffness characteristics of the bolt and the flange with the gasket are developed. Working pressure corresponding to the critical bolt force resulting in the joint leakage (complete opening between the gasket and the flange) is determined. FE computational results are compared with the available experimental results. The numerical results are presented using the authors' own graphical postprocessor. L1 - http://journals.pan.pl/Content/104299/PDF/04_paper.pdf L2 - http://journals.pan.pl/Content/104299 PY - 2010 IS - No 3 EP - 292 DO - 10.2478/v10180-010-0015-x KW - bolt joint KW - special finite elements KW - stiffness characteristics A1 - Żyliński, Bartłomiej A1 - Buczkowski, Ryszard PB - Polish Academy of Sciences, Committee on Machine Building VL - vol. 57 DA - 2010.10.29 T1 - Analysis of bolt joint using the Finite Element Method SP - 275 UR - http://journals.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/104299 T2 - Archive of Mechanical Engineering ER -