A Numerical Parametric Study on the Effectiveness of Fastener Delamination Arrest Mechanism in Composite Laminates Under Mode I Loading

Resumo

By using the Cohesive Zone Model approach and 3D solid elements to model the fastener fixation
and specimen, this study aims to provide high fidelity numerical models for a double-cantilever-beam specimen
configuration to investigate the effectiveness of fasteners as arrest mechanism for interface crack growth under
pure mode I loading. Additionally, a parametric study was also performed to investigate the influence of joint
design parameters on the specimen behavior for this loading case. Numerical results have demonstrated that a
single-fastener is sufficient to completely arrest mode I delamination growth until other failure modes take place,
independent of the joint design parameters. Despite this, fastener diameter, preload and type of fit have shown some
influence in arrest efficiency, while adding friction penalty to the model appears to have had no significant effect
under mode I loading. As a part of a more complete study for different loading cases, these results represent an
incremental contribution focused on the development of design methods and tools for damage tolerant composite
aerostructures.