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Finite element numerical progressive damage modelling and simulations applied to the strength prediction of airframe bolted joints on composite laminates can lead to shorter and more efficient product cycles in terms of design, analysis and certification, while benefiting the economic manufacturing of composite structures. In the study herein, experimental bolted joint bearing tests were carried out to study the strength and failure modes of fastened composite plates under static tensile loads. The experimental results were subsequently benchmarked against various progressive damage numerical modelling simulations where the effects of different failure criteria, damage variables and subroutines were considered. Evidence was produced that indicated that both the accuracy of the simulation results and the speed of calculation were affected by the choice of user input and numerical scheme.

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Due to good aerodynamic performance and reliability, countersunk bolt joint is one of the most commonly used connection methods for carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) components in the aircraft. However, the countersunk hole machining process is inevitably accompanied by geometric errors, which will directly affect the mechanical properties of the joint structure. This paper presents a numerical and experimental investigation on the effect of countersunk hole geometry errors on the fatigue performance of CFRP bolted joints. FE model of CFRP countersunk bolted joints with designed geometry errors are established, and the rationality of the FE analysis was verified by fatigue life and failure forms. The CFRP bolted structure failure mechanism under fatigue load and influence of hole-making geometry error (including countersunk fillets radius, countersunk depth, and countersunk angle) on the fatigue life are investigated. Based on the relationship between fatigue life and the geometry error, the corresponding tolerances for CFRP bolt joint countersunk hole are determined as well. The research results can provide a reference for establishing reasonable geometric accuracy requirements for CFRP joint hole machining.