Global sensitivity analysis of load distribution and displacement in multi-bolt composite joints

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents the development of a novel methodology for global sensitivity analysis of multi-bolt composite joints. Two sources of uncertainty were considered, i.e., the mechanical properties of composite plies and the bolt-hole clearance which comes from assembly phase. The uncertainty propagation in the composite plate was derived through the classical laminate theory, while the load distribution within bolts and the joint displacement were determined by an analytical spring-based method. A kind of Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate the variance-based sensitivity indices. Furthermore, the proposed methodology was applied to a generic single-lap composite joint, which can also be extended to represent double-lap joints, to identify the significant input random variables with respect to structural responses of the joint. Useful conclusions for the design of multi-bolt composite joints were obtained from the computational results and discussions.