Effects of temperature and clearance fit on the load distribution of composite-metal hybrid structures

By means of finite element modelling and experiments, the effects of temperature and clearance fit on the connection strength and load distribution of the composite-metal hybrid structure were investigated herein. The finite element models of single-shear joint with two bolts or three bolts were established respectively to study the distribution of bolt load with consideration of contact, metal plasticity and progressive damage of composite. It is shown from the results that the clearance fit has great effects on the distribution of bolt load in the initial stage, but it doesn’t affect the ratio of bolt load and bearing strength in the yield stage. The temperature change would bring additional temperature-load, which has a great impact on the load distribution of the bolts at the end. The superposition of temperature-load and mechanical load would aggravate the unevenness of load distribution for the bolts at the end.