Bolted joints of heavily-loaded structural elements made of composites with a polymer matrix

Abstract

1. Parametric studies of bolted metal-composite lap joints that were not tightened showed that, in the best case, their strength in tension amounts to 30% of the strength of the element made of KM not weakened by a bolt hole. 2. The effect of pretightening of a bolted joint on its load-carrying capacity was investigated. It was found that pretightening nearly ensures equal strength in the joint and the KM element. Numerical studies showed that the edges of the metal cover piece usually recede from the KM strip. Thus, there is no stress concentration near the corners of the piece. However, when a highly tightened joint is loaded in tension, there is some tendency for a stress concentration to develop. 3. Temperature- and time-dependent factors and moist media have almost no effect on the strength of the investigated joints.