Open Access

ARTICLE

Failure Analysis of Bolted Joints in Cross-ply Composite Laminates Using Cohesive Zone Elements

A. Ataş¹, C. Soutis²

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Balıkesir Üniversitesi, Çağış Kampüsü 10145, Balıkesir, Turkey.
2 School of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.

Computers, Materials & Continua 2013, 34(3), 199-226. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmc.2013.034.199

Abstract

A strength prediction method is presented for double-lap single fastener bolted joints of cross-ply carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite laminates using cohesive zone elements (CZEs). Three-dimensional finite element models were developed and CZEs were inserted into subcritical damage planes identified from X-ray radiographs. The method makes a compromise between the experimental correlation factors (dependant on lay-up, stacking sequence and joint geometry) and three material properties (fracture energy, interlaminar strength and nonlinear shear stress-strain response). Strength of the joints was determined from the predicted load-displacement curves considering sub-laminate and plylevel scaling effects. The predictions are in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data.

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