Research on Fixture's Effect on Properties of Single-Shear Bolt Jointed Composite Laminates Structure

The testing on the bearing strength of single-shear bolt jointed composite laminates structure is done. And the effect of the fixture on the testing results is analyzed. Then a macro-micro multi-scale analytical model combined with the improved “Generalized Method of Cells (GMC)” is developed, which is used to predict the macro bearing strength and to characterize the micro constitute material failure of the bolt jointed composite laminates structure. Both the contact conditions at the bolt/hole boundary and the contact conditions at the specimen/fixture boundary, progressive damage, and the material properties degradation are all taken account into the analytical model. Thus, the numerical simulation results agree well with the experimental results. Finally, the effect of the fixture on the testing results is characterized. The results show that the incomplete contaction between the fixture and the specimen or the lack of the lateral constraint on the specimen will affect the limited bearing strength and the offset bearing strength of the bolt jointed composite laminates structure. In addition, the lower support rigid of the fixture will affect the rigid of the bolt jointed composite laminates structure.