Determination of the Load Distribution in a Threaded Connector Having Dissimilar Materials and Varying Thread Stiffness

A modified spring model was developed to predict the load distribution in the threaded portion of a connector. Distinction was made between a compression case (nut and bolt) and a tension case (turnbuckle). The load distribution was described using simple second-order difference equations. Three different nut and bolt (turn-buckle) combinations were discussed: (1) threads of similar materials and geometry, (2) threads of similar geometry but different modulus of elasticity, and (3) threads with varying stiffness