Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Effect of Washer Size and Preload on Strength of Double Lap Double Bolted GFRP-To-Steel Joint

In general, built-up structures are the combinations of different types of joining. The method of assembly is important consideration in design of built-up structures. Most of the components are often fasten to the structural members by threaded fasteners to maintain integrity in fastened structure. When two fastened members are connected together by means of mechanical attachments, the resulting joint strength depends largely on the mechanical properties and failure characteristics of the joined materials. In service and under cyclic loading, the relative displacement at the interface is inevitable for bolted assemblies, in addition the effect of clamping force on the stress concentration close to the hole. However, the presence of holes for the bolt induces high stress concentration which is recognized to be a source of damage developed during fatigue loading. The Failure of bolted connection depends upon different parameter, these parameters include joint geometry (specimen width, end distance, and hole diameter), joint configuration (single lap, double lap, single bolt, single bolt row, or multi-bolt row), loading condition (tension, compression or combined static and/or fatigue loading), fastening parameters (bolt/hole clearance, bolt/washer clearance, tightening torque or clamping force, washer size, and presence of countersink), and material parameters (stacking sequence, fiber shape, matrix type, fiber volume fraction). The present work is focused on analyzing effect of various parameters such as washer outer diameter sizes and preload on the strength of double lap double bolted joint structure subjected to tensile loading by using experimental and numerically. The numerical results were found in good agreement with the experimental results.