Three Ways Increasing the L/D Ratio Improves Reliability of Dynamically Loaded Bolt Joints
by Jon Ness and Barbara Donohue
During design reviews, experienced engineers may point out that a larger ratio of clamped length to bolt diameter (L/D) improves the reliability of dynamically loaded bolted joints, but they may not give a satisfactory explanation for this advice. This article explains three benefits of designing dynamically loaded bolted joints with a sufficiently large L/D ratio: Reduced preload relaxation due to embedment; Resistance to self-loosening; Reduced risk of fatigue failure.