Overview of VDI 2230

An Introduction to the
Calculation Method for
Determining the Stress in a
Bolted Joint

Important Note
This summary of the VDI 2230 Standard is
intended to provide a basic understanding of
the method. Readers who wish to put the
standard to use are urged to refer to the
complete standard that contains all
information, figures, etc.

Definitions
Covers high-duty bolted joints with
constant or alternating loads
Bolted joints are separable joints
between two or more components
using one or more bolts
Joint must fulfill its function and
withstand working load

Aim of Calculation
Determine bolt dimension allowing for:
Strength grade of the bolt
Reduction of preload by working load
Reduction of preload by embedding
Scatter of preload during tightening
Fatigue strength under an alternating
load
Compressive stress on clamped parts

1. Range of Validity
Steel Bolts
M4 to M39
Room Temperature

2. Choice of Calculation
Approach
Dependent upon geometry
Cylindrical single bolted joint
Beam connection
Circular plate
Rotation of flanges
Flanged joint with plane bearing face

Cylindrical Single Bolted

Joint
Axial force, FA
Transverse force, FQ
Bending moment, MB

Beam Geometry, Ex. 1

Axial force, FA
Transverse force, FQ
Moment of the plane of the beam, MZ

Beam Geometry, Ex. 2

Axial force, FA
Transverse force, FQ
Moment of the plane of the beam, MZ

Rotation of Flanges
Axial force, FA (pipe force)
Bending moment, MB
Internal pressure, p

Flanged Joint with Plane

Bearing Face, Ex. 1
Axial force, FA (pipe force)
Torsional moment, MT
Moment, MB

Flanged Joint with Plane

Bearing Face, Ex. 2
Axial force, FA (pipe force)
Transverse force, FQ
Torsional moment, MT
Moment, MB

Flanged Joint with Plane

Bearing Face, Ex. 3
Axial force, FA (pipe force)
Transverse force, FQ
Torsional moment, MT
Moment, MB

3. Analysis of Force and

Deformation
Optimized by means of thorough and
exact consideration of forces and
deformations including:
Elastic resilience of bolt and parts
Load and deformation ratio for parts in
assembled state and operating state

4. Calculation Steps
Begins with external working load, FB
Working load and elastic
deformations may cause:
Axial force, FA
Transverse force, FQ
Bending Moment, MB
Torque moment, MT

Determining Bolt
Dimensions
Once working load conditions are
known allow for:
Loss of preload to embedding
Assembly preload reduced by proportion
of axial bolt force
Necessary minimum clamp load in the
joint
Preload scatter due to assembly method

Calculation Step R1
Estimation of bolt diameter, d
Estimation of clamping length ratio,
lK/d
Estimation of mean surface pressure
under bolt head or nut area, pG
If pG is exceeded, joint must be
modified and lK/d re-determined

Calculation Step R2
Determination of tightening factor,
A, allowing for:
Assembly method
State of lubrication
Surface condition

Calculation Step R3
Determination of required average
clamping load, Fkerf, as either:
Clamping force on the opening edge
with eccentrically acting axial force, FA

Or
Clamping force to absorb moment MT or
transverse force component, FQ

Calculation Step R4
Determination of load factor,
including:
Determination of elastic resilience of bolt, S
Evaluation of the position of load
introduction, n*lK
Determination of elastic resilience of
clamped parts, P
Calculation of required substitutional crosssection, Aers

Calculation Step R5
Determination of loss of preload, FZ,
due to embedding
Determination of total embedding

Calculation Step R6
Determination of bolt size and grade
For tightening within the elastic range,
select bolt for which initial clamping load is
equal to or greater than maximum initial
clamping load due to scatter in assembly
process
For tightening to yield, select bolt for which
90% of initial clamping load is equal to or
greater than minimum initial clamping load
due to scatter in assembly process

Calculation Step R7
If changes in bolt or clamping length
ratio, lK/d, are necessary, repeat
Steps R4 through R6

Calculation Step R8
Check that maximum permissible
bolt force is not exceeded

Calculation Step R9
Determine alternating stress endurance of
bolt
Allow for bending stress in eccentric load
applications
Obtain approximate value for permissible
stress deviation from tables
If not satisfactory, use bolt with larger
diameter or greater endurance limit
Consider bending stress for eccentric loading

Calculation Step R10

Check surface pressure under bolt
head and nut bearing area
Allow for chamfering of hole in
determining bearing area
Tables provide recommendations for
maximum allowable surface pressure
If using tightening to or beyond yield,
modify calculation

5. Influencing Factors
Allow for factors depending upon:
Material and surface design of clamped
parts
Shape of selected bolts and nuts
Assembly conditions

Strength of the Bolt

Stress caused by:
Torsional and axial stresses during
tightening
Working load

Should not exceed yield load

Minimum Thread
Engagement
Depends upon:
Thread form, pitch, tolerance, and diameter
Form of the nut (wrenching width)
Bolt hole
Strength and ductility of bolt and nut
materials
Type of stress (tensile, torsional, bending)
Friction coefficients
Number of tightenings

Thread Shear Strength

Bolt-Nut Strength Matching
Number for strength grade of nut is
equivalent to first number of strength
grade of bolt

Calculation of Required Nut

Height
Allows for geometry and mechanical
properties of joint elements
Predicts type of failure caused by
overloading
Considers:
Dimensional values (tensile cross-section of
bolt thread, thread engagement length, etc.)
Thread form & nut form
Bolt clearance hole

Bolt Head Height

Ensures that failure will occur in free
loaded thread section or in the shank
Highest tensile stress in thread <
Highest tensile stress in bolt head

Surface Pressure at Bolt

Head & Nut Bearing Areas
Calculation determines surface
pressure capable of causing creep
resulting in loss of preload
Surface pressure due to maximum
load should not exceed compressive
yield point of clamped material

Tightening Factor, Alpha A

Allowance must be made for torsional
stress caused by pitch and thread
friction, and axial tensile stress
Scatter in friction coefficients and
errors in method of controlling preload
create uncertainty in level of tensile
and torsional stress
Tightening factor, A, reflects amount of
required over-design

Fatigue Strength
Design modifications to improve
endurance limit of joint
Increase preload
Reduce pitch of screw thread
Reduction of modulus of nut material
elasticity
Increase thread engagement

Fatigue Strength -Continued

Design modifications to improve
endurance limit of joint
Change form of nut
Reduce strength of nut material
Increase elastic resilience of bolt, lower
elastic resilience of parts
Shift introduction of load toward
interface

Embedding
Caused by flattening of surface
irregularities
Affects forces in joint
Reduces elastic deformation and
preload

Self-Loosening and
Prevention
Preload drops due to:
Relaxation as a result of embedment or
creep
Rotational loosening due to relative
movements between mating surfaces

6. Calculation Examples
Ex. 1, Concentric Clamping and
Concentric Loading
Ex. 2, Transverse Shearing Force
Ex. 3, Torsional Shearing Load
Ex. 4, Eccentric Clamping and
Eccentric Loading
Ex. 5, Eccentric Clamping and
Loading