BEHAVIOUR OF BOLTED JOINTS OF FRP - COMPOSITE LAMINATED STRUCTURES

Abstract

Use of composite material is increasing day by day in civil engineering, due to its high strength, low weight characteristics. Fibre reinforced composites (FRC) also provide flexibility and freedom while designing, by tailoring some of the factors designer can easily achieve desired behaviour from material. Joints are very essential component of any structures. In present study, behaviour of bolted joints used to joint FRC laminates is examined. A FEM model is developed to study behaviour of bolted joints. Progressive damage is implemented by using [-lashin's failure theory and instantaneous property degradation rules. Model is validated against various past experimental and simulation results. Present model showed a very good agreement with available literature. A 11cr validation of joint various parametric studies are performed on bolted joint. Edge distance, tam ination scheme, washer diameter are varied in present study. Numerous results are presented and interpreted from parametric study. At last an attempt is made to extend progressive damage model to a multi-bolt joint. A two-bolt joint is developed and tightening torque is varied to study its effects on strength of the joint.