To understand the effect of applied external tension, let us first of all consider the initial state of preloaded bolt arrangement without the external force. Figure 1 below shows the equilibrium of components in the initial state. In preloaded bolts, the tension induced into the shank of the bolt is balanced by the compression force under the head and nut of the bolt, which in turn induces pressure at the faying surfaces. Figure 1. Let us now consider the state with an exter