116

Int. J Sci. Emerging Tech

Vol-4 No 1 July 2012

Evaluate Axial Stiffness of the MERO

Connection, Under the Effect of Hardening the
Screw
Mehdi Ebadi1, Dr. Mohammadreza Davoodi2
Department of Civil Engineering, Babo University of Technology, Iran
1

m.civil1985@yahoo.com
2
davoodi@nit.ac.ir

Abstract: Given that the networks of two or more layers

Space structures with rotational joints connecting Mero
joints secondary role in the transmission, hardening
effects on the relationship between the screw axial force
- displacement plays a key role in the mechanical
behavior of the network connection. And also the design
of these structures instead of connecting the entire
design in different positions,it is necessary to connect
just a simple equivalent circuit in a state of tension with
the bolts and the pressure of the sheath and simple
relationship between them can be found in the design.
In the present discussion ABAQUS/EXPLICIT software
and finite element method of three-dimensional effects
of different amounts of hardening curves in connection
with Mero on the axial force - displacement relationship
difficulties connecting and binding and its components
in tension and pressure conditions has been investigated
. In this model the geometric nature of the spiral screw
thread construction model to simulate the hardening of
the screw is provided with multiple tightening moments
actions.
The results showed that in these model different values
of hardening affected on the tensile force screw
connection - connecting the shift and gradually with the
increase in the hardening of the screw connection,
tensile stiffness in the linear range of binding behavior
increased. It is noteworthy that after a range of
hardening, the tensile stiffness increase the of the
connection stops. Also the bolts attaching the equivalent
of a quadratic relationship between them was placed on
the design criteria.
Key words: Mero joints,tightening, bolt tightness, loaddisplacement response, equivalent axial stiffness, two
layers networks

1. Introduction
One of the most common connecting systems ball
screw connection system is the space structure. In
this type of network connection two or more layers
are usually applied. Studies on the structures built in
connection with this system indicate that the
responses obtained from the analysis, regardless of
the connection with their experimental values, are
considerably different. Androic [1] , measured
______________________________________________________________________
International Journal of Science & Emerging Technologies
IJCSET, E-ISSN: 2044-6004
Copyright ExcelingTech, Pub, UK (http://excelingtech.co.uk/)

change places with two layers of network nodes that

connected the roof of a stadium that was built from
ball joint .El-Sheikh [2], studied three-layer networks
with two connection systems ball joint and found
significant differences between experimental results
and analytical results in cases such as failure mode
and ultimate load. Davoodi at al [3,4] used a twolayer system with a network connection from ball
joint components which are used practically. They
measured a centralized structure and displacement of
a few nodes in the network. The measured
displacement was substantially different from with
the results of the analysis of conventional networks.
Pashaii [5] studied dynamic behavior of the network
experimentally. Their study showed that an important
role in the dynamical behavior of ball connection
network has two layers.
Since two or more layers in the network of member
axial force is dominant and non-axial forces are
secondary effects [3], to consider the connection in
analysis it is necessary to determine the relationship
of load displacement the axial shift. To achieve
better estimates of structural response, Ghasemi [6]
obtained load displacement relationship ball shift
system used in the network experimentally [3]. This
relationship was linear at first and following the flow
of some of the components, the connection becomes
non-linear and softer.
They used the nonlinear relationship of load
displacement in the network analysis on experimental
models that were available.
Their studies showed that the analytical results with
regard to the connection effects of a better
approximation of actual behavior (experimental
response) yeilded a two-layer network. However,
there was a significant difference between
experimental and analytical values of the
displacement and the charts load-displacement.
Goli [8] and Mahmoodian [7] investigated the state
of compressive force on ball connection, as well as
the effect of different hardening degrees of
complexity to a screw on connection behavior. In this

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review, they showed the impact of changes in the

amount of gelatin change in total binding sites and
the connection stiffness. Chenaghlou[9] and shibata
[10] investigated bolt varying degrees of hardening
on the behavior of static and dynamic binding, and
the whole structure. Ymamamoto [11, 12] and Chen
[13] investigated the distribution of the load on the
threaded bolts involved in connection with the
relationship between anchor bolts and screws
gelation occurred and the amount of force that results
in this study for validation of software. Given the
complexities mentioned in connection with a ball
jonit and considering it as a real structure because
several members are connected through a discussion
of this complexity will be multiplied can be stated
that such an experimental approach to a connection
with static and dynamic force, Although it is more
acceptable than analytical methods, these are only
able to study a limited number of specific binding
and there is no ability to generalize to different
scenarios. Also being time consuming and expensive,
laboratory methods and numerical methods is an
important reason to do. Now, due to the fact that
possibility of numerical modeling and the use of
administrative tasks is time consuming and requires
expertise in this field, this study is done to find a
relationship between total hardness and stiffness of
the connection bolts in tension and the pressure
difficulty connecting with a hard sheath. For this
purpose relationship between surface area and
diameter of the rod diameter bolts with equivalent
with total binding and the relationship between leaf
area and total surface area equivalent circuit was
obtained. Mero joint will end up from assembly
members including bolts, sheath, spheres and cones.

the anchor being constrained to rotate with respect to

the sheath and screw each other by the rotating pin
and sliding contact surfaces of the threaded screw
and ball screw is inserted into the ball cavity and
other members of the compact and its connection
screw is placed under tension.

2. Modeling Mero Connection

The study of the three screws in the metric system of
nomenclature categories used M16 with body
diameter 16 mm and 2 mm space thread, M20 with
body diameter 20 mm and 2.5 mm space thread, M24
with body diameter 24 mm and 3 mm space thread.
Overall the height of the screws are 68.8 mm
diameter and height of Venice cornering respectively
28.7 and 8.1 mm. Hole diameter 16/5 mm embedded
on the body of the screw provides the moment
concretion. Members of other dimensions in Figure 2
are listed. It is worth noting for better modeling of
components, Solidworks software is used which was
carefully threaded the spiral and is a very good
model. ABAQUS 6.9-1 software was used to analyze
nonlinear finite element method to Mero connection.
Also due to the nature of the spiral threaded
connection with a three-dimensional model, this may
arise in modeling the hardening of the anchor bolt,
the bolt action and the resulting load is measured.

cone

sheath

Figure2. dimensions of members (mm)

bolt

sphere

pin

Connection of members in mero joint was meshed by

Continum element. Finite element full model and
finite element bolt model are shown respectively in
Figure 3 and 4.

Figure1. members of mero joint

According to Figure1, with the hinge pin through the
sheath and screw holes on the body, rotation of the
two members is bound together in Mero connection.
In this connection, two or multi-layer networks are
used in these systems that degrees of hardening of the
screws are common. The hardening of the screw in
the fittings and the members of pressed and slip
connection between surfaces is reduced by
connecting members and likely displacements
unpredictable in the early stages of this structure is
reduced. There are a variety of methods to harden the
screw in screw connections. Space structures in
connection with Mero system hardening procedure to
help control the anchor is a conventional torsion
wrench. Hardening of the sheath in connection with

Figure3. finite element model of bolt

Figure4. finite element model of whole connection

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Due to the relatively of complex geometry and

threaded and slip between the contact surfaces with a
threaded bolt threaded the ball and transmission of
force through the connecting surfaces ball and
threaded screws, threaded bolts in the lattice
dimensions and the dimensions are smaller in mesh
dimensions than the rest of the bolt body is

of compressive or tensile load to the rigid ring

(Figure 6) is inserted on the upper end of the cone.

Table1. properties of mechanical materials [14]

considered. It should be noted that the lattice of finite
element model connection of Mero 51146 Continum
Members
connection
Sphere and Cone

yield (Mpa)
stress
240

(Mpa)
ultimate
370

Sheath

320

500

Bolt

640

800

element volume is consistently applied. The contact

between the connection members, hardening or force
applied to the anchor pivot connection between the
sliding surfaces can be transferred between members,
element introduction of contact between the contact
surfaces of members finite element model can be
contacted at the connection between the connecting
members of the model. To model the contact between
surfaces of a public call mode is used.
The model specification for the connection of steel
materials, the Poisson coefficient is 0.3 and Modulus
of elasticity is 210000 Mpa and reactionary behavior
- a territory with plastic yield criterion of von mises,
law and law related to the realizability is considered
isotropic. Mechanical properties of members
connection specifications is introduced of the curve
in two or three linear connection.
Notably, the study Rothbart that friction coefficient
between steel compositions on iron has been
introduced in the range from 0.12 to 0.17, coefficient
of friction between the surfaces of members is
considered 0.14. The coefficient of friction between
surfaces in relative motion with respect to the
coefficient of friction between the surfaces during
sliding contact surfaces relative to each other more.
Regardless of this feature, coefficient of friction
between surfaces in starting and sliding contact
between the contact surfaces are introduced as
constant.

3. Loading
Changes in the axial direction of the relationship - the
connection and get a hard shift, under different values
of hardening the screw, the hardening effect of each
tightening moment 240,180,120,60 Nm on the axial
force - displacement binding were studied.
On this basis, this is done in two stages. Firstly the
hardening moment applied of the anchor bolts
(Figure 5) and then an axial force in the second stage

Figure 5. Position of the center screw holes for the body of the
connection

Figure 6. position of the axial force to the rigid ring on the

upper surface of the cone terminal

4. Verification
4.1. Relationship
between
moment preload

tightening

According to the results of finite element model

analysis of the connection, there is a tension or preload in the bolt of the anchor member hardening,
reaction occurred in the center of the rigid ring is
measured at the distal end of the frustum. To
investigate the relationship between anchor hardening
- strain occurred in the screw connection, Yamamoto
[11,12] did a lot of studies. The relationship between
the bar and anchor in the range of elastic hardening
friction force on the contact surface and anchored
with a balance between hardening by Yamamoto is
presented as follows.
Dv=

Tf= Fs( +1.155 sdp+wDv)

(1)
(2)

P, d, respectively, and the diameter is threaded , s

and w, respectively, coefficient of friction between
the contact plates threaded nut engaged and
coefficient of friction between the contact page and
the page is involved. dp is the diameter of the thread.
Dv is effective diameter of the friction on the contact
page anchor nut that engaged with the page. This
relationship is presented for hardening elastic range.
Figure (7) between the screw and pull the anchor
concretion acts occurred in the present work the finite
element model compared with the results of
Yamamoto for M20 bolts attaching the model in this
study shows.

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4.3. Analysis of survey results

300

tightening torque(N.m)

250
200
150
FEM 20

100

YAMAMOTO 20

50

The effect of hardening moment 180, 120, 60 and

240 N.m. on the tensile force - displacement finite
element model in conjunction with bolts M16, M24,
M20 is shown in Figure 10. It should be noted that
the ultimate tensile force is inserted of up to 180000
N of twist. As it can be seen in Figure 10, gradual
increase of hardening actions to anchor screws from
60 N.m amount to 180 N.m hardness range of linear
increase in binding strength.

0
0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

140

70000

Pre load(N)

120

Figure 7. Comparison between the anchor concretion - a time to

connect with the bolts with the Yamamoto
P(KN)

100

As the results of finite element model study shows

gradually increasing hardening acts to anchor bolts,
the anchor concretion - the times are out of their
linear form. Considering that the Yamamotos
equation for a simple model of the screw connection
is provided and some unique features Mero
connection with the properties of a simple model
does not match the screw connection, therefore, the
results of Yamamoto does not match with the results
of finite element model for high hardening.

T60-FEM
T120-FEM

80

T180-FEM

60

T240-FEM
40
M16
20
0

2
3
DISPLACEMENT(mm)

Figure 10 a M16

200

4.2. Mesh quality control scheme in the

threaded

180
160
140

Networking and how to ensure the correct

distribution of load on the threaded surface of this
sample to work from Chen [13] with the same
specifications for 8UNC the model curves is shown
in Figure 8.

T60

P(KN)

120
100

T120

80

T180

60

T240

40
M20

20
0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

DISPLACEMENT(mm)

0.35

Figure 10 b M20

0.3
CHEN

0.25

350

Present finite element

0.2

300

0.15
250
0.1
T60

200
0.05
P(KN)

Load ratio to total applied load

0.4

0
1

T120

150

T180
100
T240

Thread number

Figure 9 . Comparison of load distribution on the threaded connection

50

M24

0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

DISPLACEMENT(mm)

Figure 10 C M24

Figure 10. Hardening effect of twist on the relationship

between tensile force - displacement connection

Figure 8 . Chens finite element model and simulated model

The approximate linear relationship between tensile

force - to shift for different values of hardening the
screw, Figure 11 compares the tensile stiffness is
given in the range of linear and nonlinear connection
with experimental results Ghasemi [6].

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Figure 12 is shown Changes in the compressive force

displacement for amount of gelation shift circuit
60, 120 and 180 Newton meters.

180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

EXP60

1.8
T60-FEM

1.6
1.4

0.5

1.5

2.5

P(KN)

Load(kN)

Int. J Sci. Emerging Tech

Displacement(mm)

1.2

T60-EXP

1
T120-EXP

0.8

T180-EXP

0.6
0.4

180

0.2

160

140

100
80

120-MEHDI

60

EXP120

40
20
0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

Displacement (mm)

Load (kN)

180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
-0.4
0.1

180-MEHDI
EXP180

0.6

1.1

1.6

2.1

2.6

Displacement (mm)

180
160
140
Load (kN)

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

DISPLACEMENT(mm)

Figure 12 .Hardening effects screw on related to the pressure

displacement joint
In Table 2, the compressive stiffness values is
presented in the range of linear and nonlinear circuit
behavior also the amount of pressure applied to the
nonlinear behavior of connections in the connection
for different values of the hardening curves. As can
be seen, for quantities of 120 and 60 Nm of
hardening, the compressive strength - its behavior is
almost linear shift in the range of binding interactions
is consistent. To increases from 120 Nm to 180 Nm
hardening, strain hardening behavior of the linear
range of the connection increases. The results show
that, starting with non-linear behavior of the
connection in the range 14000 kg happening again.
The compressive force - displacement on each of the
connecting members in terms of compressive force to
the connector, as shown in Figure 13. According to
Figure 13, the compressive force conditions began to
connect the non-linear behavior of the members of
the pod is connected, that sleeve member within the
lower range of the load behavior is nonlinear.

120
100

80

x 10000

Load (kN)

120

T240-FEM

60

EXP240

40
20

1.8
1.6
1.4

1.2

0.5

1.5

2.5

P(N)

Displacement (mm)

Figure 11. Comparison between experimental results and study

the different strain hardening conditions

CONIC

1
0.8

SPHERE

0.6

NUT

0.4
0.2
0
0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

DISPLACEMENT(mm)

Due to the finite element model analysis and

comparison of the tensile force in connection with the
existing experimental results, despite the difference
in tensile and compressive force transmission
mechanism in connection members, effects of
hardening the screw on the pressure force displacement circuit according to the results of finite
element model in this study is predictable connection.
It should be noted that in all cases that were referred
to cones and pods of different size screws for the
connection remained stable and given that it plays a
crucial role in the pod, result is depicted in a diagram.

Figure 13 . Graph of compressive force - displacement in terms of

connecting members connecting the compressive force

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5. Discussion
4.4. The relationship between the total
equivalent
axial
stiffness
in
connection with the phase winding
tension and pressure in phase with the
sleeve
In general, the results of the analysis is necessary for
the functional relationship between total binding and
bolts in tension and pressure obtained in the sheath,
therefore the relationship between surface area and
diameter of the rod bolts with a diameter equal to the
total cross section and the connection between the
sheath and the surface area equivalent to the total
binding obtained are listed below. In Tables 3 and 4
of this relationship and have been equivalent.
Table2 . Degree of hardening behavior in connection with
60 to 180 N - m
Nut
area(mm2)

685.24

area equivalent
to the linear
phase with a
total mode
(mm2)
A=610.55(89%)

area equivalent
to the nonlinear phase
with a total
mode (mm2)
A=116.7(17%)

Table 3 . The relationship between nut area and

joint in pressure mode
Bolt
diameter
(mm)

Diameter
equivalent
bolt to the
non- linear
phase with a
total mode
(mm2
A=150.2(74%),
D=4 ,
16
D=14
A=13(6.5%)
A=204.4(65%),
A=21.6(6.9%),
20
D=16
D=5
A=243.1(54%),
A=48.5(10.7%),
24
D=18
D=8
Finally we have the following simple equation for the
total amount equivalent screw connection and use of
bolts.

A general observation of the force-displacement

relationships of the connector with different degrees
Table 4. The relationship between bolt area and joint
in tension mode
Degree of
hardenin
g(N.m)

Primary
stiffness(kg
/mm2)

secondary
stiffness(kg/m
m2)

Start of
nonlinear
phase

60
120
180

69548
70301
72184

18484
18062
25403

14440
14440
14440

of bolt tightness and make equivalent of the area and

diameters bolt-connector lead to the following
findings:

Diameter
equivalent bolt to
the linear phase
with a total mode
(mm2)

D: Equivalent diameter of the screw connection

d: diameter of the screws used in connection

In most cases in which force, the connection

process is nonlinear, the nonlinear stage is to
force the bolt. It can be concluded that the
tension screw has a major role in binding
behavior.
The relationship between force - shift for each of
the components show a connection, the
compressive force in the nonlinear behavior of a
member of the pods will start to connect. The
nonlinear behavior of Log pod connection to the
nonlinear behavior begins.
Hardness ratio with increasing size of the bolts
connecting the equivalent of 16 to 20 and 24,
respectively, 1.8 and 1.9 and 2.2 and the
hardness ratio with increasing size of the bolts
connecting the second equivalent of 16 to 20 and
24 are respectively 2 and 2.2 and 2.3. Difficult
than the initial connection with the sheath
stiffness ratio equal to 3.73 and 1.3 is a
secondary connection with the sheath.
Bolt diameter and the diameter of the screw
connection between the linear region as d (eq) =0.0263D2 + 1.522D - 3.7914 is expressed. The
relationship between the diameter and the
diameter of the screw bolts connecting the linear
region as d (eq) = 0.0449D2 - 1.3235D + 13.741
shall be stated.
The compressive force, the total surface area
equivalent to connectivity pod pod surface area
of 89% linear and 17% of pod surface area is
nonlinear.
Mero for states to use up the entire strain screw
connection M24, M20, M16 are, respectively,
0.00825, 0.00661 and 0.005664.

3 and 4 relations are used, respectively, linear and

nonlinear relations between subregions.

6. Conclusion
2

d(eq) = -0.0263D + 1.522D - 3.7914 (3)

d(eq) = 0.0449D2 - 1.3235D + 13.741 (4)

In the present study, Mero-type connectors in four

different groups were experimentally and numerically
investigated in axial tension and pressure.Each group
includes three connectors with the same specific
degree of bolt tightness.Average force-displacement

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Int. J Sci. Emerging Tech

relationships of different groups were obtained and

compared.All the force-displacement relationships
showed that the behavior of connector was nonlinear
and was affected by the degree of bolt
tightness.Furthermore,in order to study the effects of
connector behavior on the global behavior of
structures having the ability to consider the
connection behavior.comparing to the results of
standard linear analysis without consideration of
connector effects,analytically obtained nonlinear
force-displacement relationships of the double layer
grid considering the effects of connectors showed
much better agreement with the test results.Also we
can situated equivalent bolt to whole connector
model.This work make expense less time and
expenditure than whole model.

References
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Systems Of long Span Space Trusses
International Journal Of Space Structures, vol
7(3).
[2] El-Sheikh. A, (1993) Numerical analysis of
space Trusses with Flexible Member-End Joints
International Journal of space structures,8(3),
189-197
[3] Vaseghi. J and Davoodi. MR, (2002),Modeling
of semi rigid Behavior of MERO Jointing
System, Proceeding of International conference
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306-316.
[4] Davoodi, M.R & Pashaei, M.H & Mostafavian
S.A, Experimental study of the effects of Bolt
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and
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screw connections MERO, Internal Journal of

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