Influencing Factors Research on Fatigue Performance of Interference-fit Bolted Composite Joints

Abstract

Experimental investigations were conducted to determine the effect of several influencing factors on the fatigue behavior of interference-fit bolted composite joints. The sizes of interference fit, different materials of laps, and stacking sequences of main laminates were separately considered. Tension-compression reversed force/stress ratio, R=-1, was selected to evaluate the fatigue tests. The appropriate levels of fatigue stress were determined by the ultimate bearing strength of the fastener structure obtained from the static tensile tests. The bearing stress and the fatigue life (S-N) data of all specimens were presented and the relationship between influencing factors and fatigue life were obtained. The experimental results showed that the appropriate size of interference fit and the matched laps could improve the fatigue life of composite joint, however stacking sequences of main laminates was not sensitive to the fatigue life of composite joints.