• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.281-294
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• 2015

Bolted joint connection is the most commonly used connection element in structures and devices. The loosening due to external dynamic loads cannot be observed and measured easily and may cause catastrophic loss especially in an extreme requirement and/or environment. In this paper, an innovative Real-time Cross-Correlation Method (RCCM) for monitoring of the bolted joint loosening was proposed. We apply time reversal process on stress wave propagation to obtain correlation signal. The correlation signal's peak amplitude represents the cross-correlation between the loosening state and the baseline working state; therefore, it can detect the state of loosening. Since the bolt states are uncorrelated with noise, the peak amplitude will not be affected by noise and disturbance while it increases SNR level and increases the measured signals' reliability. The correlation process is carried out online through physical wave propagation without any other post offline complicated analyses and calculations. We implemented the proposed RCCM on a single bolt/nut joint experimental device to quantitatively detect the loosening states successfully. After that we implemented the proposed method on a real large structure (reaction wall) with multiple bolted joint connections. Loosening indexes were built for both experiments to indicate the loosening states. Finally, we demonstrated the proposed method's great anti-noise and/or disturbance ability. In the instrumentation, we simply mounted Lead Zirconium Titanate (PZT) patches on the device/structure surface without any modifications of the bolted connection. The low-cost PZTs used as actuators and sensors for active sensing are easily extended to a sensing network for large scale bolted joint network monitoring.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.28-34
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• 2020

In this study, hole-boss locking washers were developed to prevent vibrational loosening, and a benchmark test was conducted to compare these washers with existing wedge locking washers, which are imported and high-priced. The developed washers consist of an upper washer with bosses and a lower washer with holes, and the bosses are caught in the holes so that the bolt is not loosened. Additionally, the top side of the upper washer and the underside of the lower washer have small wedges perpendicular to the direction of the bolt loosening, suppressing slips. A test by the Korea Test Laboratory indicated that the ratio of the loosening torque to the joining torque is greater than 70%, confirming that the developed washers have a sufficiently high anti-loosening performance. A Junker test apparatus was manufactured for the testing of vibrational loosening and a test comparison between the proposed washers and the existing wedge locking washers shows that the proposed washers have a slower reduction in the clamping force and a higher loosening-resistance in a vibrational circumstance compared with the wedge locking washers. These results indicate that the developed washers demonstrate a high performance and boast price competitiveness.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.486-491
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• 2004

A comparative study on the implant screw loosening under the initial clamping force and cyclic loads was conducted. The experiments were performed to evaluate the screw loosening behavior of the internal and external implant systems. It was found that the screw loosening torques of implant systems were significantly affected by the way how the abutment and fixture were connected due to the difference in the load transfer mechanism between abutment and fixture.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.219-237
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• 2007

The effect of cable loosening on the nonlinear parametric vibrations of inclined cables is discussed in this paper. In order to overcome the small-sag limitation in calculating loosening for inclined cables, it is necessary to first derive equations of motion for an inclined cable. Using these equations and the finite difference method, the effect of cable loosening on the nonlinear parametric response of inclined cables under periodic support excitation is evaluated. A new technique that takes into account flexural rigidity and damping is proposed as a solution to solve the problem of divergence. The regions of inclined cables that undergo compression are also indicated.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.35-38
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• 2014

PURPOSE. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between microleakage and screw loosening at different types of implant-abutment connections and/or geometries measuring the torque values before and after the leakage tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Three different abutment types (Intenal hex titanium, internal hex zirconium, morse tapered titanium) with different geometries were connected to its own implant fixture. All the abutments were tightened with a standard torque value then the composition was connected to the modified fluid filtration system. After the measurements of leakage removal torque values were re-measured. Kruskal-wallis test was performed for non-parametric and one-way ANOVA was performed for parametric data. The correlation was evaluated using Spearman Correlation Test (${\alpha}=0.05$). RESULTS. Significantly higher microleakage was found at the connection of implant-internal hex zirconium abutment. Observed mean torque value loss was also significantly higher than other connection geometries. Spearman tests revealed a significant correlation between microleakage and screw loosening. CONCLUSION. Microleakage may provoke screw loosening. Removing torque values rationally decrease with the increase of microleakage.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.136-143
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• 2021

This paper presents the loosening behavior that occurs after the application of an external load to internal and external connection types of dental implants using the finite element method. We use fastening force between an abutment and a fixture to clamp the dental implant system; however, loosening and breakage may occur owing to cyclic external loads. In this study, we considered the initial fastening condition in the pre-load analysis and then investigated the change in stress and contact surface status when applying external loads. After the application of the initial fastening load, we verified that the internal connection-type model exhibited a relatively lower stress distribution than that of the external connection-type one. Moreover, we found that the former model showed a lower stress concentration after the application of the external load. In addition, after the application of this load, we found that the higher the shear load acting on the implant system, the higher the possibility of loosening. The study results showed the change in stress distribution and contact surface according to the connection type of the dental implants and the phenomenon of loosening by cyclic loads. We expect that the results of this study will be useful for the study of reliability and design of dental implant systems.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.212-217
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was to assess clinically the incidence of abutment screw loosening of posterior implant-supported fixed prosthesis and its affecting factors. Materials and methods: 391 implant-supported crowns restored from January 2013 to January 2016 were included in this study. All restorations were fabricated with either a single crowns or a splinted crown, and cemented with temporary cement. The incidence of abutment screw loosening is investigated and gender, restoration position, opposing teeth, restoration type, abutment connection type were assessed as possible factors affecting abutment screw loosening. Results: During the observation period (2 - 5 years), abutment screw loosening was found in 29 restorations (7.4%). It took 3 to 48 months (means 19.5 months) to loose the screw, and three of these implants were fractured. Among the factors considered, there were statistically significant differences at abutment screw loosening rate between molar group (9.4%) and premolar group (2.6%) (P<.019). According to the type of opposing teeth, there were statistically significant differences between nature teeth (74.7%) and implant (25.0%), removable denture (3%) (P<.019). The other possible factors did not have a significant effect on loosening of the abutment. Conclusion: The incidence of abutment screw loosening in posterior restoration was 7.4%. Abutment screw loosening were more likely to occur in molars group than premolar group, and according to the opposing teeth, there were the greatest frequency in nature teeth than implant and removal denture. There was a statistically significant difference.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2015

Objective : Pedicle screw fixation for spine arthrodesis is a useful procedure for the treatment of spinal disorders. However, instrument failure often occurs, and pedicle screw loosening is the initial step of a range of complications. The authors recently used a modified transpedicular polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) screw augmentation technique to overcome pedicle screw loosening. Here, they report on the laboratory testing of pedicle screws inserted using this modified technique. Methods : To evaluate pullout strengths three cadaveric spinal columns were used. Three pedicle screw insertion methods were utilized to compare pullout strength; the three methods used were; control (C), traditional transpedicular PMMA augmentation technique (T), and the modified transpedicular augmentation technique (M). After control screws had been pulled out, loosening with instrument was made. Screw augmentations were executed and screw pullout strength was rechecked. Results : Pedicle screws augmented using the modified technique for pedicle screw loosening had higher pullout strengths than the control ($1106.2{\pm}458.0N$ vs. $741.2{\pm}269.5N$; p=0.001). Traditional transpedicular augmentation achieved a mean pullout strength similar to that of the control group ($657.5{\pm}172.3N$ vs. $724.5{\pm}234.4N$; p=0.537). The modified technique had higher strength than the traditional PMMA augmentation technique ($1070.8{\pm}358.6N$ vs. $652.2{\pm}185.5N$; p=0.023). Conclusion : The modified PMMA transpedicular screw augmentation technique is a straightforward, effective surgical procedure for treating pedicle screw loosening, and exhibits greater pullout strength than traditional PMMA transpedicular augmentation. However, long-term clinical evaluation is required.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.67 no.10
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• pp.1375-1381
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• 2018

In this paper, we studied coatings of the DLC thin film for improving loosening torque of dental implant screw. We used a filtered arc ion plating process which can realize the most dense DLC layer by coating the DLC thin film on the surface of the dental abutment screw. It showed both hardness comparable to diamond and low friction coefficient similar to graphite, and to improve the loosening phenomenon by increasing the screw tightening force Cr/CrN, Ti/TiN or Ti/TiN/Cr/CrN buffer layers were deposited for 5 to 10 minutes to improve the adhesion of the DLC thin film to the surface of the Ti (Gr.5), and then the DLC thin film was coated for about 15 minutes. As a result, the Cr/CrN buffer layer exhibited the highest hardness of 29.7 GPa, the adhesion of 18.62N on average, and a very low coefficient of friction of less than 0.2 as a whole. And we measured loosening torque after one million times with masticatory movement simulator. As a result, the values of the coated screw loosening torque were clearly higher than those of the uncoated screw. From this, it was found that the DLC coating was effective methods improving the loosening torque. In addition, it was confirmed that the cytotoxicity test and cell adhesion test showed high biocompatibility.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.721-737
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• 1998

Abutment screw loosening of implant restorations is a common problem in the treatment of dental implant. The purpose of this study was to calculate stress and preload from the elongation measurements and to determine maximum tightening torque without plastic deformation of the screw. The length of each gold alloy UCLA screw was measured after tightening to the manufacturer's recommended torque of 32 N-cm. Similarity, titanium UCLA screws were measured after tightening to the manufacturer's recommended torque of 20 N-cm. Loosening torque was also measured after tightening to 32 N-cm torque for gold alloy abutment screws and 20 N-cm for titanium abutment screws. The results were as follows ; 1. There was a regressive relationship between screw elongation and tightening torque (gold alloy : $r^2=0.987$, titanium : $r^2=0.978$), and the mean preload calculated from elongation measurements was $501.11{\pm}26.85\;N$ (gold alloy) and $399.43{\pm}7.61\;N$ (titanium). 2. Stress calculated for the gold alloy and titanium screws at maximum recommended tightening torque was less than 60% of their respective yield strengths and with-in the elastic range. Maximum tightening torque without plastic deformation was 61 N-cm (gold alloy) and 39 N-cm (titanium). 3. For titanium screws, there was a significant difference between loosening after trial 1 and loosening after trials 2 to 5 (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was seen in mean loosening torques between the first and subsequent trials for gold alloy screws.