Determining the safety torque value in bolted joints theoretically and experimentally

In order for bolted connections to lead a safe life and furthermore, to ensure that they do not damage the parts that they hold together in the structure which they are used in; a safety torque value is calculated specifically for each particular connection.The purpose of this thesis is to test the appropriateness of the calculated tightening torque value under realistic conditions, via experiments and to compare results.In this study, the calculation method will be based on VDI 2230 standards. In the first stage, the calculations which are required for the connection conditions to be compared shall be made via HEXAGON SR1 program, which uses VDI 2230 for its calculations and visualizes the results via tables and graphics, so as to eliminate human error.In the second stage, all conditions which are assumed to have existed when performing the calculations, be created in exactly the same way. As for experimental determination of the safe tightening torque for tightening the connection; with the help of computer-controlled tightening units, transducers and sensors brought to us by advanced technology, we obtain graphics of the tightening torque -which is obtained when the connection is tightened- versus time and rotation angle. The graphics which obtain and provide us the most appropriate torque values as well as the opportunity to determine lower ? upper tolerances of this torque value by interpretation.As a result, we compare our theoretical and experimental results, and we determine how close our theoretical calculation is, to the real value it should be.