23rd Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, 8-13 September, 2002, Toronto, Canada
Paper ICAS 2002-4.10.4

BEARING STRENGTH OF BOLTED JOINTS IN CFRP WING FITTINGS

G. Romeo, G. Frulla
Turin Polytechnic University, Italy

Keywords: bearing strength, bolted joints, wing fittings

A research is being carried out to investigate the behaviour of bolted joint fittings in CFRP. Unlike isotropic materials, the introduction of a bolted joint connection in composite aircraft primary structures reduces the load carrying efficiency of the structure by around 50 percent even when the joint has been properly designed and manufactured. Several double lap tests are being carried out in order to evaluate the bearing strength of two CFRP specimen types : solid graphite/epoxy laminate and a sandwich construction with skins having the same layup. Several design modifications are in progress in order to increase by 50% the bearing strength of the joint. Fatigue tests would also be carried out. Preliminary results are reported

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