A fast prediction method for bearing strength of aircraft composite bolted structures considering initial assembly deviation

Abstract

Bearing limitation is a key performance indicator for composite bolted joints. Assembly process parameters such as washer structural parameters, interfacial friction coefficients and tightening process parameters have a significant effect on the bearing limitation. In the actual production process, there are inevitably deviations between the assembly process parameters and their design values. The accumulation of assembly process deviations leads to an obvious dispersion of the bearing limitation, which makes it difficult for composite bolted joints to be reliably in service. In this paper, the dispersion of assembly process parameters is experimentally tested to quantitatively characterize its uncertainty. Then, based on the high fidelity finite element analysis method, a data set of bearing limitation under different assembly process parameters is prepared. A data-driven algorithm is used to establish a fast prediction model for bearing limitation. The fast prediction model is used to realize the uncertainty analysis and the reliability evaluation for the bearing limitation. The established analysis method and the obtained conclusions can provide a reference for the reliability design and analysis of composite bolted joints.

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