Propagation of damage in bolt jointed and hybrid jointed GLARE structures subjected to the quasi-static loading

GLARE laminate is a high-performance material used extensively in industry. This study investigates the progression of damage in bolt jointed and hybrid (bolt/bonded) jointed GLARE structures through a series of tests, including double cantilever beam experiments, end notched flexure experiments and tensile tests. Numerical simulations of tensile tests on bolt and bonded jointed GLARE structures are performed using finite element software ABAQUS. The experimental and numerical results provide evidence that delamination is the dominant failure mode as a result of the weak interlaminar strength between the metal and the glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) layers and the secondary bending moment. Bearing damage occurs mainly around the bolt hole, and the matrix with 90 degrees directional fibers is damaged more easily than the layer with 0 degrees directional fibers. A suggestion is proposed to design the optimal hybrid jointed GLARE structures by adjusting the stiffness of the liquid shim.