Bolt tightening vs virtual bolt tightening in CATIA FEA.
> I have explained here the steps to model bolt connection property and a virtual bolt connection property in CATIA FEA.
> Its assumed that a moderate level of CATIA FEA is known by the user.
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Step 1: Cad product.
> I have created a generic product which consists of a base,a plate acting as the cover and a physical bolt at one end. The other end of the product will be bolted with a virtual bolt connection property in CATIA FEA. The complete product has been assumed to be made up of steel.
> Some generic dimensions what I have followed here is shown.
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Step 2: Connection 1 : Bottom bolt face & Top plate.
> The first step I have begun here is with connecting the bottom face of the bolt head as highlighted below and the top surface of the plate.
>As can be seen the general analysis connection has been used.
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Step 3: Connection 2 : Contact between bolt shaft and top plate.
> In the second step I have connected the bolt shaft with the corresponding surface of the hole in the plate with the general analysis connection.
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Step 4: Connection 3 : Contact between bolt shaft and bottom base.
> In this step I have connected the bolt shaft with the corresponding surface of the hole in the base with the general analysis connection.
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Step 5: Connection 4 : Contact between top plate and bottom base.
> Here the top plate's bottom surface and the base's surface in contact with the plate has been connected with the help of a general analysis connection.
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Step 6: Connection 5 : Virtual Contact between top plate hole and bottom base's hole.
> Here the concentric holes on the other end of the model where the physical bolt is not modelled is connected.
> The concentric holes on the top and the bottom plate are selected and connected by the general analysis connection toolbar.
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Step 7: Contact connection property for all the steps from 2 to step 4.
> I have named the analysis connection's tree with useful names as per the connections used.
> We need to apply the contact connection property for all the steps from 2 to 4.Since these are the places where the model in "reality" touches each other.
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Step 8: Bolt tightening property for the connection 3.
> Here we will use the bolt tightening connection property for the step no.3 i.e connection between the bolt shaft and the bottom base.
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Step 9: Virtual bolt tightening property for the connection 5.
> Here we will use the virtual bolt tightening connection property for the connection 5 .
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Step 10: Mesh + Boundary conditions + results
> I have used a finer mesh in the areas where the virtual bolt has been used and where the physical bolt has been modelled.
> I have applied a vertical force of 500N(The direction of the arrows are visible - on the top plate's top surface) and have clamped the base on two ends( one can be seen and the other one is the opposite side)
