Experimental characterization of hybrid composite-to-metal bolted joints under flexural loading

Abstract

Presented is an investigation of the structural performance of hybrid composite-to-metal bolted joints loaded in flexure. The main goal was to develop a watertight, hybrid connection to resist bending loads. The effect of bolt type, doubler plate geometry and foam inserts was studied. Fourteen different joint configurations were tested including standard bolted joints and bolted joints with doubler plates. The performance of connections loaded cyclically in flexure was assessed by comparing: (1) the initial damage and failure loads; (2) the types of failure modes; and (3) the joint initial rotational stiffness. Instability in the hysteresis loops, where the load drops in subsequent cycles, is used as an indication of damage. A joint using a short doubler plate, a foam insert, and a single row of bolts, was found to be at least 33% stronger and 29% stiffer when compared to a standard bolted joint with two rows of the same diameter bolts. Use of doubler plates and foam inserts in a bolted joint resulted in higher strength and stiffness and can effectively mitigate joint opening, which improves the ability to seal the joint and maintain watertight integrity.