Comparison of bolted joints with two different clearance types

In this study, bearing strengths of bolted joints with different clearances are compared. Woven-glass-epoxy prepreg composite are tested under two different bolt-bearing conditions. The geometry of the samples for bolted joints is suitably varied in order to find the limit for width-to-diameter (W/d) and edge distance-to-diameter ratios (E/d), which are necessary to avoid unsafe failure modes. Damage progression is examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) on specimens with mixed (bearing+net tension) mode for different percentages of their ultimate failure load. It is observed that the clearance between the bolt and hole has an important influence on the failure load of mechanically fastened joints.