Prediction model and parametric study on CFRP flat-joggle-flat hybrid (bonded/bolted) joints

Abstract

As the weakness zone of composite structures, joints are of great concern. Adding fasteners in the bonded joint is another type of jointing, technology used in engineering. In this research, considering a new type of flat-joggle-flat carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) joint, a prediction model based on the commercial software ABAQUS was proposed to predict the joint load carrying capacity and analyse the joint failure modes. Tensile tests were performed to verify the validity of the model. Furthermore, the orthogonal design was applied to explore the effects of four kinds of factors on the hybrid joints. The results showed that the load-carrying capacity of the hybrid joint improved by 40.5% and 31.9% on average, compared with that of the adhesively bonded joint and the bolted joint, respectively. The carrying capacity for the bonded joint, bolted joint and hybrid joint predicted by the model has error values of 3.5%, 2.7% and 3.1%, respectively, which illustrates good accuracy with the test results. The width-to-diameter ratio appears to have the most substantial effect on the first drop load and the maximum load of the hybrid joint. The failure modes are influenced by the width-to-diameter ratio, edge-to-diameter ratio and stacking sequence.