Three-dimensional investigation of thick single-lap bolted joints

Stresses in single-lap bolted joints of thick plates are complex and difficult to analyze. Previous studies involving stresses through the thickness of bolted joints have been limited to finite element method (FEM) simulations and have been implemented only for the joining of relatively thin plates. In this paper we report on several experimental and numerical analyses that were conducted to evaluate the stress distribution inside thick bolted plates along the bearing plane normal to the plate surface. Experimental analysis was conducted via embedded-polariscope photoelasticity and embedded resistance strain gages. The FEM analysis was performed with the ABAQUS commercial code using material properties and other data obtained experimentally as input. Experimental and numerical results agreed reasonably well, and are believed to depict the behavior of the joint under load well enough to assist in development of improved joint design.