Advances in bolting technology

Several industries, including nuclear power, have grown increasingly concerned about bolted joint problems or failures in recent years. As a result, a number of analytical and experimental programs have been launched to try to identify the causes of the problems, and to develop equipment and/or procedures to solve them. This paper describes four such efforts; an extensive Pressure Vessel Research Committee sponsored the study of gaskets and leaks; an emerging ultrasonic technique to monitor or control bolt tension, in the field, with improved accuracy; the early work of a new ASME Nuclear Power Codes and Standards Task Group to define good bolting practices; and an Electric Power Research Institute sponsored video cassette training program for bolting mechanics and engineers.