Bolt Calculation and Design
We calculate and size bolted joints in compliance with standards and according to the applied loads—tailored to your technical requirements.
Reliable Assessments of Your Components
Analyze bolted joints. Secure strength with confidence.
A strength verification of bolted joints is crucial for the safe design of mechanical structures—for example in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, or steel construction. Bolts are often subjected to combined loads such as tension, shear and, where applicable, bending—frequently under dynamic conditions as well.
The calculation is performed taking into account geometry, preload, friction, load spectra and material properties—in accordance with applicable standards such as VDI 2230 or DIN EN 1993. The aim is to verify load-bearing capacity, identify critical bolted joints, and avoid overdimensioning.
Our Service Portfolio
Static Strength Verifications – Load- and Standards-Compliant
With static strength verifications, we assess the load-bearing capacity of your components in a standards-compliant and reliable manner. Based on FEA analyses, you can identify weak points or optimization potential early and ensure compliance with relevant guidelines—efficiently and precisely.
Static Strength Verification
A static strength verification checks whether a component can withstand the intended loads safely and permanently.
Fatigue Strength Assessment
Fatigue describes the gradual failure of components under repeated, cyclic loading.
Weld Calculation
Load-compliant design of weld seams for static and cyclic stress.
Bolt calculations are essential when ...
Your Safety – Our Responsibility
bolted joints are located in highly loaded areas—such as in the load path—and must be assessed as potential weak points.
load-bearing bolted joints are subjected to dynamic or cyclic loading and a fatigue strength verification is required.
elevated temperatures occur and the clamped parts expand differently than the bolt.
damage has already occurred in operation and it must now be prevented through design optimizations.
the bolted joint is safety-critical and failure could lead to personal injury or system failures.
Benefits of Bolt Calculations
Measurable value. Verifiable quality.
Our bolt calculations are based on current standards such as VDI 2230 and take all relevant influences into account—from preload and temperature through to the load spectrum. For bolted joints you can rely on.
Preventing Bolt Failure
A sound bolt calculation ensures that the joint can withstand the actual operating loads. This allows failure risks to be identified early and effectively protects people and assets.
Reliable Design
We determine the required dimensions and preload forces for your bolts—taking into account standards, loads and boundary conditions.
Efficient Bolt Design
An optimized design makes it possible to create bolted joints that are slimmer, lighter, or use fewer components—without compromising safety.
Our Expertise for Your Project
We look forward to your inquiry!
As a specialized engineering office for FEA calculations, we provide you with sound technical support for the design, optimization and assessment of bolted joints. Whether static, dynamic or thermally influenced loads—we verify that your joint will reliably withstand the requirements over the long term.
Do you have questions, need an assessment, or want to get started right away?
We look forward to hearing from you—by phone, email, or in person.
Your contact: Jonas Compart
elbcore engineers GmbH
Lerchenstraße 28a
22767 Hamburg
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Fast answers. Clear solutions.
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our services.
Which standards apply to bolt calculation?
For the verification of bolted joints, VDI 2230—especially Part 1—is the key guideline. It describes a detailed calculation method for determining bolt forces, preload and safety, both in the static and dynamic range. In structural engineering applications, particularly steel construction, DIN EN 1993 (Eurocode 3) may also be relevant, as it specifies design rules for bolted connections within structural design.
Can bolted joints be reliably represented in an FEA simulation?
Yes, FEA simulations are very well suited to analyzing bolted joints realistically—especially for complex geometries or when local stress distributions need to be assessed. In practice, we often combine numerical simulations with analytical calculations to VDI 2230 to achieve robust, traceable results.
What information do you need to perform a bolt calculation?
For a sound calculation, we need information on the geometry and arrangement of the bolts, the loads involved (such as forces and moments), the materials used, and assembly parameters such as preload and coefficient of friction. In addition, boundary conditions such as temperature or dynamic loads may also be relevant.