The　bolted　joint　is　the　machine　tool＇s　primary　connection　mode.　The　bolted　joint　structures　have　a　profound　influence　on　the　dynamic　performance　of　the　machine　tool.　Due　to　factors　such　as　design　and　manufacturing　processes,　bolted　joint　structures　often　exhibit　uneven　stress　distribution,　which　severely　affects　the　dynamic　properties　of　the　structure.　The　common　frame　connection　structure　in　the　machine　tool　infrastructure　is　used　as　the　research　object.　A　simulation　model　was　established　to　study　the　influence　of　bolt　preload　distribution　on　structural　dynamics　based　on　the　improved　thin-layer　element　method.　The　results　show　that　using　more　small　bolts　can　improve　the　uniformity　of　stiffness　distribution　and　the　natural　frequency　of　the　structure.　When　the　bolt　specification　and　number　remain　unchanged,　the　dispersion　of　bolt　preload　has　little　influence　on　the　dynamic　performance　of　the　structure.　The　research　results　have　a　certain　guiding　significance　for　the　optimization　design　of　bolt　joint　structure　of　machine　tools.　©　Published　under　licence　by　IOP　Publishing　Ltd.