Characterization and Modelling of Composite Fastened Joints for Impact Analysis

This work proposes an experimental and numerical activity aimed at developing methods to evaluate the strength and toughness of Kevlar/Epoxy composite fastened joints used in aeronautical structures and exposed to high energy impacts. Experiments were conducted using an Arcan rig that allowed applying various loading conditions, ranging from pull-through to bearing. A non-linear model of the material based on a bi-phasic decomposition and hybrid meshing technique was built and calibrated. The material model was used to develop a high-fidelity model of the junction to simulate the pull-through test with the Abaqus/Explicit finite element solver. The results of the analysis point out that the implemented progressive damage laws are capable of achieving an appreciable experimental-numerical correlation, both from the qualitative and the quantitative standpoint. Therefore, the combined experimental-numerical approach is promising for developing a validated numerical tool capable of predicting the overall response of different junctions with minimal experimental effort, so to provide data for simulating impact scenarios at the rotorcraft structural scale and designing critical joints.