TY  - EJOU
AU  - Ataş, A. 
AU  - Soutis, C. 

TI  - Failure Analysis of Bolted Joints in Cross-ply Composite Laminates Using Cohesive Zone Elements
T2  - Computers, Materials \& Continua

PY  - 2013
VL  - 34
IS  - 3
SN  - 1546-2226

AB  - A strength prediction method is presented for double-lap single fastener bolted joints of cross-ply carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite laminates using cohesive zone elements (CZEs). Three-dimensional finite element models were developed and CZEs were inserted into subcritical damage planes identified from X-ray radiographs. The method makes a compromise between the experimental correlation factors (dependant on lay-up, stacking sequence and joint geometry) and three material properties (fracture energy, interlaminar strength and nonlinear shear stress-strain response). Strength of the joints was determined from the predicted load-displacement curves considering sub-laminate and plylevel scaling effects. The predictions are in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data.
KW  - Composite laminates
KW  -  bolted joints
KW  -  strength prediction
KW  -  finite elements method (FEM)
KW  -  subcritical damage modelling
KW  -  cohesive zone elements (CZEs)

DO  - 10.3970/cmc.2013.034.199