A suitable bolt length for this application would be 40 mm.
Determining the Suitable Bolt Length (L)
To determine a suitable length for the bolt (L), we need to consider the following factors:
Thickness of the plates: We need the bolt to be long enough to pass through both plates with enough thread engagement on the nut side for proper clamping. In this case, the total thickness is 23 mm (2 plates * 23 mm/plate).
Grip length: The grip length is the portion of the bolt that actually clamps the plates together. It's generally recommended to have a grip length at least 1.5 times the plate thickness. So, the minimum grip length in this case would be 23 mm * 1.5 = 34.5 mm.
Thread engagement: The thread engagement is the length of threads on the bolt that are engaged with the nut. It's crucial for proper load distribution and preventing the nut from loosening. A minimum thread engagement of two times the thread pitch is recommended. Since the thread pitch for an M14 bolt is 2 mm, the minimum thread engagement should be 2 * 2 mm = 4 mm.
Washer clearance: If washers are used, you need to account for their thickness when determining the bolt length.
Calculation:
Minimum bolt length (excluding head and nut): Grip length + Minimum thread engagement = 34.5 mm + 4 mm = 38.5 mm.
Round up to the nearest 5 mm: L = 38.5 mm ≈ 40 mm.