Three-dimensional finite element analysis of a single lap bolted joint of thick isotropic materials

In addition to the development of new composite materials, there is a need for improving methods of joining these materials to other materials. Bolt-joining is often the most cost-effective. Mechanical joining of composite materials is not a very well understood domain and deeper investigation is required. This study concerns three dimensional investigations of the stresses along the bearing plane of an epoxy resin plate bolt-joined to a metallic one in a single lap. A finite element model was created and the results provided by it were verified experimentally. The experimental method used was embedded polariscope photoelasticity. Strain gages were also used to measure the strain at 3 points in the bearing plane. Comparison of the two sets of results showed that the FEA model is able to simulate with reasonable accuracy the behavior of the joint. The model was further used to investigate two simple methods of decreasing the highest stress in the composite plate.