Analysis of bolt load uniformity in raised flange connection

Aiming at the problem of uneven preload of raised flange, a model considering elastic interaction is established to study the uniformity of bolt load under raised flange connection. Firstly, the elastic interaction coefficient method of bolt flange connection structure is extended to multiple times, and the initial preload of all bolts at each tightening step is determined by analytical model; secondly, a three-dimensional finite element model of bolt flange connection structure is established, and the correctness of the finite element model is verified by comparing with the literature test, and the influence of tightening sequence and tightening steps on bolt preload is explored; finally, the results of raised flange under symmetrical tightening conditions with and without considering elastic interaction are compared and analyzed. The results show that when the tightening method is symmetrical tightening and the tightening steps are three steps, the elastic interaction of each bolt is the smallest, and the final preload uniformity is better; on this basis, the results of the model considering elastic interaction further improve the uniformity of the final preload and are closer to the target preload. The problem of bolt preload dispersion caused by elastic interaction is solved, and the research results can provide guidance for the safety and reliability design of bolt flange connection structure.