A method to achieve uniform clamp force in a bolted rotor with curvic couplings

The preloading process is essential for circumferential bolted rotors with curvic couplings and preloading effects determining the rotor performance. A nonuniform clamp load of each bolt will destroy the periodicity of the rotor and affect its strength, stiffness, and stability. In this paper, the finite element method was adopted, the influence of elastic interaction on two types of preload methods (one by one and group) was investigated and the mechanism about elastic interaction was analyzed, and a method to achieve a uniform clamp force of spindle bolts was proposed. This method is based on displacement, and by ensuring equal relative displacements of each bolt and nut during the preloading process, the uniform clamp force can be obtained. The validity of the proposed method is experimentally verified.