Reply To: bolt preload without nut

[peteroznewman]

Add a pipe to the assembly that fits inside the cylidrical cavity behind the split. The pipe diameter should be slightly smaller than the ID of the cavity. Add frictional contact between the OD of the pipe and the ID of the cavity. As the bolt shortens, the arms will grip the pipe and the pipe will prevent the arms from collapsing at the split. At the other end of the pipe, add a fixed support, otherwise the pipe will cause the solution to fail.