FE analysis of single-bolt composite bolted joint by means of a simplified modeling technique

Abstract

The new Composite Bolted Joint Element (CBJE) is applied to the FE analysis of a single-lap, single-bolt composite bolted joint, allowing for important reductions of the computational burden while maintaining remarkable accuracy of results. The CBJE is a user-defined finite element representative of the elastic behavior of the region comprising the bolted joint and a portion of the surrounding composite plates. This modeling approach exploits radially disposed beam-shaped elements whose stiffness matrix is defined according to the analytical solution of the theoretical reference model of composite bolted joints, previously attained by the authors. This allows establishing the structural equivalence between the FE model and the theoretical reference model of the joint. A comparative investigation between a full detailed 3D FE model and a shell one featuring the CBJE of the single-lap joint is presented. It demonstrates the capabilities of the CBJE to synthesize low simulation time requirements and outcomes exactness.