Joint Separation Checklist
Review prompts for joint separation analysis — limit load gapping, contact nonlinearity, friction capacity and slip-critical assessment.
Purpose
For checking joint separation under load.
Separation Check
- Is joint separation checked at limit load? — No gapping where seal or clamp is required
- If a linear analysis shows separation, has a nonlinear contact analysis been run? — Linear results are invalid after gapping
- Is the contact status at the final load verified — gapping where expected, contact where expected? — Review contact output
- Is the residual clamp force after external loading positive where required? — Preload − external load effect
Slip-Critical Joints
- For slip-critical joints, is the friction capacity (μ × F_preload × n) compared to the applied shear? — With minimum preload and design μ
- Is the friction coefficient justified by test or standard? — Not assumed
- Has a friction sensitivity study been performed? — μ ± 50%