ABSTRACT
Experiments on the bearing strength of protruding and countersunk composite-steel bolted joints were performed. The correction coefficients for countersunk composite bolted joints were obtained. Finite element models were developed for protruding and countersunk composite-steel bolted joints to predict the two bolted joints bearing strength. Bolted joints especially countersunk bolted joints are of particular interest for use in skin joints where aerodynamic efficiency is important. The compressive through-thickness stresses are present at damageable region of the countersunk hole, but the strength of countersunk bolted joints was not involved. The bearing stress increased linearly with bearing stress till 650MPa, at which point the damage initiates around the hole edge. Due to the computational convergence problem, using the present finite element model can only obtain ultimate strength when applied to countersunk bolted joints. Further improvements will be needed.
