Stress analysis of bolted composite joints under multiaxial loading

This chapter presents a two-dimensional, semi-analytical solution method for the stress analysis of bolted composite lap joints under mechanical and/or thermal loading. It is based on a combined complex potential and variational formulation. The method is capable of modeling finite geometries, bolt stiffness, bolt-hole clearance, variable plate thickness and metallic inserts without any symmetry requirements. It accounts for the contact phenomenon and the interaction among the bolts explicitly under bearing and by-pass loading with or without thermal loading. It is computationally not demanding and, thus, is suitable for parametric studies and design optimization.