Keywords: global bolted joint model, finite element analysis, composite.

In composite aircraft structures, bolted joints are regarded as potential weak points and can thus limit the design and weight saving potential of the overall composite structure. Three-dimensional finite element models can provide detailed information on the mechanics of composite joints and can reduce the time, cost and amount of testing needed in joint design. To date, three-dimensional finite element models have been developed and validated [1,2,3] and these models can accurately predict the behaviour of both single-bolt and multi-bolt joints and capture details such as bolt-hole clearance, friction, lay-up, bolt torque and material damage. Save large clusters, computer power is not yet sufficient to model large composite aircraft structures where many hundreds of bolts would need to be modelled three-dimensionally.

To overcome this issue, a global bolted joint model is being developed at the University of Limerick. The aim is to develop an efficient method of modelling a bolt and its surrounding material, which can capture the physics of the joint behaviour but at a fraction of the computational cost, so that many hundreds of bolts can be included in large scale simulations of composite aircraft structures. The global model will be developed and validated against both full three-dimensional finite element models and experiments on multi-bolt composite joints. This paper describes the current development of the global joint model and the detailed three-dimensional joint models that are being used in its development.

1

McCarthy C.T., McCarthy M.A., "Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Single-bolt, Single-lap Composite Bolted Joints: Part II- Effects of Bolt-hole Clearance", Composite Structures, 71, 159-175, 2004. doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2004.09.023

2

McCarthy C.T., McCarthy M.A., Stanley W.F., Lawlor V.P., "Experiences with Modelling Friction in Composite Bolted Joints", Journal of Composite Materials, 39(21), 1881-1909, 2005. doi:10.1177/0021998305051805

3

McCarthy C.T., McCarthy M.A., Lawlor V.P., "Progressive Damage Analysis of Multi-Bolt Composite Joints with Variable Bolt-Hole Clearances", Composites: Part B, 36, 290-305, 2005. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2004.11.003

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