Shear damage simulation of adhesive reinforced bolted lap-connection interfaces

This paper presents an approach to the modelling of quasi-static interface fracture of epoxy adhesive reinforced bolted lap-connections. The full-scale experiments have been performed in order to validate simulation results. Shear fracture of the pre-defined annular interface areas in the vicinity of the fasteners was modelled using decohesion finite elements involving a parametric cohesive zone model. Non-local friction was also incorporated into the interaction between the contacting elements. Based on the principle of superposition, the fracture potential and frictional dissipation of the interface were independently characterized. The measured peak shear loads show a good correlation with the computed results.