Analysis and Optimization of Contact Strength of Screw Thread

Abstract

Due to the influences of isolation, contacts, sliding, friction and other factors, the meshing process of screw thread is a nonlinear contact problem and its analysis is very complicated. Using the finite element method, we transform the nonlinear contact problems into nonlinear physical problems, establish the finite element model of screw thread connection structure by introducing the nonlinear gap element, and solve the model with the incremental method. We also investigate the finite element model of screw thread based on penalty function and verify the correctness of the gap element model. Through the analysis, the stresses and the deformations of screw thread under the axial load are obtained. Subjected to the condition of structural safety, we perform optimization designs of screw thread which obviously improve the load capacity of screw thread and reduce the stresses on the border. Our work provides a new way to the precise design of screw thread connection structure.