FLANGE BOLTING METHOD AND APPARATUS

1 . A method of loading bolts of a bolted flange connection, the method comprising:

obtaining an initial bolt load value for each of the bolts;

loading each of the bolts, in sequence, to a respective initial bolt load value;

wherein each of the bolts achieves a resultant bolt load value that meets a predetermined bolt load value.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein, loading each of the bolts, in sequence, to the respective initial bolt load value comprises using a direct tension indicating washer.

3 . The method of claim 2 wherein, loading each of the bolts, in sequence, to the respective initial bolt load value comprises tightening a nut until an indicating material is visible at an outer diameter of the direct tension indicating washer.

4 . The method of claim 2 further comprising using a base washer with the direct tension indicating washer.

5 . The method of claim 1 wherein, loading each of the bolts, in sequence, to the respective initial bolt load value comprises loading each bolt in sequence in a clockwise or a counterclockwise pattern.

6 . A kit for securing a bolted flange connection staving N bolts, the kit comprising:

N direct tension indicating washers;

each of the N direct tension indicating washers being configured to indicate an initial bolt load value;

wherein upon loading each of the N bolts to a respective initial bolt load value, each of the bolts achieves a resultant bolt load value that meets a predetermined bolt load value.

7 . The kit of claim 6 wherein the direct tension indicating washers are numbered from 1 to N, respectively.

8 . The kit of claim 6 further comprising at least N base washers.