Interval estimation for contact stiffness of bolted joint with uncertain parameters

Abstract

Bolted joints are elements used to create resistant assemblies in the mechanical system, whose overall performance is greatly affected by joints’ contact stiffness. Most of the researches on contact stiffness are based on certainty theory whereas in real applications the uncertainty characterizes the parameters such as fractal dimension D and fractal roughness parameter G. This article presents an interval estimation theory to obtain the stiffness of bolted joints affected by uncertain parameters. Topography of the contact surface is fractal featured and determined by fractal parameters. Joint stiffness model is built based on the fractal geometry theory and contact mechanics. Topography of the contact surface of bolted joints is measured to obtain the interval of uncertain fractal parameters. Equations with interval parameters are solved to acquire the interval of contact stiffness using the Chebyshev interval method. The relationship between the interval of contact stiffness and the uncertain parameters, that is, fractal dimension D, fractal roughness parameter G, and normal pressure, can be obtained. The presented model can be used to estimate the interval of stiffness for bolted joints in the mechanical systems. The results can provide theoretical reference for the reliability design of bolted joints.