Knowledge that supports
Here you will find technical articles on preload, clamping force, bolt monitoring, and methods for force measurement in large bolted joints. This knowledge base is designed for operators of safety‑critical connections such as tower flanges, blade bolts, structural steel nodes, and process flanges.
On this page, you will find practical, application‑oriented knowledge on bolted joints, geotechnical grouted anchors, and modern monitoring technologies. The articles are based on real projects and current engineering practice – clearly prepared for decision-makers, planners, and operators.
bolted joints
How sensor‑equipped bolts make preload transparent
Bolt preload is a decisive factor for the safety of any bolted joint. This article explains why conventional tightening methods are often inaccurate and how sensor‑equipped bolts create transparency in critical applications - from wind energy to steel construction.
bolted joints
Causes of preload loss in bolted joints
Preload loss occurs during operation due to settling, temperature cycles, dynamic loads, and load redistribution within the flange. This article explains the technical mechanisms that cause bolts to lose their clamping force – even when installation, documentation, and torque records were all correct.
bolted joints
Methods for measuring bolt preload
An overview of the most important methods for measuring bolt preload: torque, yield‑point tightening, ultrasound, and sensor‑equipped bolts. This article explains how these methods work, where their limitations lie, and which measurement principles are suitable for monitoring large, safety‑critical bolted joints.
bolted joints
How the measured preload becomes the clamping force in the flange
Preload acts inside the bolt, while clamping force acts in the flange – and it is precisely there that the safety of the connection is determined. This article explains why these two values can diverge during operation and how the actual clamping force can be reliably derived from bolt elongation.
bolted joints
Bolted Joints Between Standards and Reality – Why Service Conditions Are Often the Blind Spot
Standards define how bolted joints should be designed and assembled. Yet the actual condition of a bolted joint during operation often remains implicit. This article explores the relationship between standards, inspections, and understanding the real condition of bolted joints in service.
geotechnical anchors
Why monitoring of geotechnical grouted anchors is becoming indispensable despite the absence of mandatory standards
Grouted anchors operate for decades out of sight - and their load‑bearing behavior changes over time. This article explains why monitoring is crucial for safety and durability, even in the absence of mandatory standards.