Reinforcement around holes in composite materials by use of patched metal inserts

Metal inserts are sometimes used to improve the load carrying capacity of bolted joints in composite materials. In this paper a new concept is introduced where inserts are built during composite manufacturing by integrating stacked metal patches at locations where holes are to be made after consolidation. Initial tests and a parameter study enable more informed design, and specimens with improved stacked inserts are then produced and tested. The specimens with inserts show up to 60% strength improvement in pin-loaded tests. In addition to the experimental work, finite element analysis is performed to investigate the stress fields and the failure mechanisms. The model indicates that the singular stresses at the multi-material corner points are governing for the strength and give indications of the failure mechanisms. Some basic analytical estimates are also presented.