Energy Analysis Approach for Detecting Bolt Loosening

Energy Analysis Approach for Detecting Bolt Loosening | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Energy Analysis Approach for Detecting Bolt Loosening wang xingjun, wang wei, shao yongbin This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5361438/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 19 Aug, 2025 Read the published version in Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering → Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Bolt connections are integral to civil infrastructure and mechanical assemblies, where bolt loosening poses risks of structural instability and safety issues, potentially causing injuries and financial losses. Monitoring the loosening of bolts can mitigate accident risks, enhance safety, and prevent disasters. Consequently, understanding and identifying bolt connection integrity is a critical aspect of structural research. This study introduces a quantitative approach for detecting bolt loosening through controlled small-ball impacts. By adjusting the bolt torque within a defined range to simulate varying levels of tightness or looseness, a small ball is released from a consistent height to strike the bolt. PZT sensors, mounted on the back of the flange, capture the impact signals, with multiple measurements taken across bolts. Experimental and simulation outcomes show that, under specific conditions, the vibration energy captured increases with higher bolt torque. This method of small-ball impact combined with signal analysis effectively and accurately identifies bolt loosening. The approach provides straightforward data processing, making it well-suited for complex structures with low energy requirements. It is compatible with single or multiple sensors, cost-efficient, fast, and accessible to operators with minimal experience, enabling rapid and extensive detection within confined spaces. This technique, therefore, holds substantial research potential. Bolt detachment Contact surface Energy analysis Instant impact Full Text Supplementary Files CompetingInterestDeclaration.pdf DataAvailabilityStatement.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 19 Aug, 2025 Read the published version in Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering → Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Nov, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 11 Nov, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 04 Nov, 2024 First submitted to journal 01 Nov, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5361438","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":376808931,"identity":"3566d83c-4ac1-4e7a-b9e4-3ce8e176f94a","order_by":0,"name":"wang xingjun","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Lanzhou University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"wang","middleName":"","lastName":"xingjun","suffix":""},{"id":376808932,"identity":"ebceabbf-2c4c-4f28-a42d-7e7981faa5ed","order_by":1,"name":"wang 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