Broughton, W R; Crocker, L E; Gower, M R L; Shaw, R M (2004) Assessment of predictive analysis for bonded and bolted T-joints. NPL Report. DEPC-MPR 002

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Abstract

This report presents the results of research conducted at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) into developing models and test methods for accurately determining deformation and failure in bonded and bolted structures under static and cyclic loading conditions. Tests were conducted on aluminium and glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GRP) T-joints and compared with predictive analysis for this purpose. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to predict joint stiffness, joint strength and failure location. The study involved T-joints subjected to direct tension and lateral tension loading conditions. The FEA results provide further evidence that the combination of a new cavitation model, developed at NPL, and the hydrostatic stress yield criterion can be used to predict deformation, failure load and failure location within joints bonded with rubber-toughened epoxy adhesives. Closed form solutions were also derived to predict joint stiffness for the basic T-joint configurations and loading modes. Good agreement was obtained between the closed form solutions and experimental results.
The report includes an evaluation of strain gauges and linear voltage displacement transducers (LVDTs) used for monitoring local and global changes in joint stiffness under quasi-static and cyclic loads. The results show that strain gauges strategically placed can detect in many cases the onset of damage. A number of methods of restraining joint movement were also considered (i.e. filling of internal cavities of bonded joints, and side clamping and multi-bolt arrays for bolted joints) with the intention of increasing joint stiffness and strength. The report also examines the relationship between stiffness loss and fatigue life of bonded and bolted T-joints.

Item Type:	Report/Guide (NPL Report)
NPL Report No.:	DEPC-MPR 002
Keywords:	adhesives, aluminium, GRP
Subjects:	Advanced Materials Advanced Materials > Adhesives
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2018 13:16
URI:	http://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/2972

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