Effect of cold expansion on fatigue life of double lap structure

Abstract

The finite element simulation analysis was used to determine the weak parts of the fatigue life of a double lap structure, for which the cold expansion finite element model was established. The effect of the cold expansion of slotted bushings on the residual stress distribution around the hole of the double lap structure under different interferences was deeply studied, and the optimal interference amount was determined to be 2.5%. The effect of reaming on the residual stress distribution around the hole was studied. The residual stress distribution around the edge of the hole under actual loading conditions before and after cold expansion was compared to provide a theoretical analysis basis for extending the fatigue life of the specimen after cold expansion. The China-made and free- forged 7A85 aluminum alloy specimen was used to obtain the fatigue life and DFR value of the double lap structure after ordinary hole making and the cold expansion of slotted bushing. The results show that the fatigue life under 95% confidence and 95% reliability after cold expansion strengthening increases by about 49% and that the tested DFR value increases by about 9.8%.