hi everyone,

I have a question about modeling checks on bolts joints.

I modeled a 3d solid bolt and its joint appling the following "iteraction":

• Contact pair between bolt head and plate 1
• contact pair between plate 1 and 2
• Tie on plate 2 and bolt thread.

Additionally, in my model there are:

• a pretension load (known)
• an external load (that for some reason, let's suppose I don't know)

How can I know the external load acting on my assembly (bolt + plates)? What output should I ask for and check?

Thank you.