Classical and Numerical Approaches to Determining V­section Band Clamp Axial Stiffness Research Article Open Access Classical and Numerical Approaches to Determining V-section Band Clamp Axial Stiiness

V-band clamp joints are used in a wide range of applications to connect circular anges, for ducts, pipes and the turbocharger housing. Previous studies and research on V-bands are either purely empirical or analytical with limited applicability on the variety of V-band design and working conditions. In this paper models of the V-bandaredevelopedbasedon the classical theory of solid mechanics and the nite element method to study the behaviour of theV-bandsunder axial loading conditions. The good agreement between results from the developed FEA and the classical model support the suitability of the latter tomodelV-band jointswithdiameters greater than 110mm under axial loading. The results from both models suggest that the axial sti ness for thisV-band cross section reaches a peak value for V-bands with radius of approximately 150 mmacross awide range of coe cients of friction. Also, it is shown that the coe cient of friction and the wedge angle have a signi cant e ect on the axial sti ness of V-bands.