A novel composite bolted joint element: application to a single-bolted joint

摘要

Based on an analytical solution of the theoretical reference model of the composite bolted joint undergoing in-plane loads, a modeling technique for this kind of demountable connections is presented. The novel composite bolted joint element substitutes a region of the original model, comprising the bolt and the peripheral area, with a set of radially arranged beams: the cross-section properties are opportunely tailored in order to establish a stiffness equivalence between the theoretical reference model and the presented finite element through the resolution of a system of algebraic equations. The in-plane load condition is considered in this work because of its prevalence in comparison with other ones in many practical applications as the double lap shear joint. Numerical case studies are provided to validate the novel composite bolted joint element comparing FE models of circular plates, featuring a quasi-isotropic lay-up, with an internal rigid core or with the presented FE tool.