Tag: #Bolts

University of Nebraska Engineer Researching Causes and Solutions to Bolt Loosening

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Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©

Keegan Moore, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln engineer, is on a mission to solve one of the most puzzling
problems in mechanics: why bolts loosen over time. With a USD 727,410 (EUR 671,210) grant from the U.S.
National Science Foundation, Moore is investigating the causes and solutions to this issue that has led to
numerous accidents, from train derailments to oil spills.

Loose bolts pose a threat not only in high-profile accidents but also in everyday life, affecting school
facilities, cars, and even the James Webb Space Telescope. Despite the widespread use of bolts, little is
understood about how a structure’s dynamics influence their loosening during normal operation.

Moore’s research focuses on rotational loosening caused by vibrations. Using high-speed cameras and
modeling frameworks, he aims to uncover how the interface contact conditions around the bolt hole change
as the bolt loosens and the structure shakes. This could lead to predictive maintenance strategies that target
specific problem areas, offering a more efficient approach to monitoring aging infrastructure.

Giant Bolts Replaced on London’s Tower Bridge for the First Time in Decades

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Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©

In October 2023, London’s Tower Bridge underwent an important maintenance operation, as four massive
nose bolts, each measuring two meters long, were replaced for the first time in decades.

These bolts play a vital role in locking the bridge’s moving parts, known as bascules, in place when lowered
to allow traffic and pedestrians to cross the 129-year-old structure.
The City Bridge Foundation, a 900-year-old charity responsible for maintaining Tower Bridge and four other

Thames crossings, carried out the complex operation during overnight closures to minimize disruption to
the 40,000 people and 21,000 vehicles that use the bridge daily.

At Tsamouris, we understand the critical role that fasteners play in ensuring the structural integrity of high availability
structures with moving parts like the Tower Bridge — it is inevitable that we will see wear and
tear, but carrying out planned work like this avoids the need for more disruptive and costly repairs further
down the line.