A bolt passes through a tubular sleeve; washers and a nut are tightened to clamp parts together. What is the stress state after tightening?

Introduction / Context:
Preloaded bolted joints are ubiquitous. Understanding which member takes tension and which takes compression under tightening is essential for correct sizing, stiffness analysis, and joint integrity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A bolt runs through a tube (sleeve) between clamped parts.
• Nut is tightened to apply preload.
• Elastic behaviour; no plastic yielding during tightening.

Concept / Approach:
Tightening the nut stretches the bolt (increasing its tensile force) and shortens the sleeve/stack (putting it into compression). The clamped parts experience compressive contact, generating the clamping force that resists external loads.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Load–deflection models treat bolt and clamped members as springs in series; equilibrium requires equal and opposite internal forces → bolt tension equals sleeve compression.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Both in tension or both in compression violates equilibrium in the absence of external separating forces.Bolt in compression, tube in tension is opposite of actual preload behaviour.“Neither carries load” contradicts the essence of preloading.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming only external loads create stresses; forgetting that preload exists even before service loads are applied.

Final Answer:

Bolt in tension, tube in compression