Fracture analysis and geometrical parameter optimization of bolted composite joints

Abstract

Optimal lap geometry was considered for the analysis of fracture behavior in bolted composite joints. The test specimen comprising of composite laminated upper plate, aluminums lower plate and a protruding headed bolt. 1 An unidirectional fibered composite layers was considered for easier theoretical analysis. Based on nonlinear stress analysis, the selection of varying orientation especially for plies were performed. The system taken for analysis is depicted in figure and their corresponding dimensions represented in Table 1. A input file was initially created through ANSYS code for the creation of 3D model as specified before for simulation purpose. 2 Meshing was done before analyzing the 3D model. The 8-noded SOLID46 3-D ANSYS element was considered for modeling of required 3D model which is constrained in all directions. Basic 2D sketch of 3D object is depicted in Figure 1. With the usage of SOLID45 3-D ANSYS element, the modelling of composite plate and bolt was done. The contact between the surfaces in the required model were established through 3-D CONTAC49 ANSYS element. The properties of composite material in various directions are tabulated in Table 2.