On failure mode analysis in a bolted single lap joint under tension-shearing

This paper investigates the failure mode of a bolted single lap joint formed from thin sheet of aluminum alloy 6082 T6 with several configurations of assemblies. Two types of geometric characteristics, i.e. the width and the distance between the hole center and the free edge of the substrate, are used in order to verify the effect of the distance between the bolted joint and the edge effects. Mechanical testing in tensile shearing are carried out to verify the influence of: tightening torque, number and disposition of bolted joint (1 bolted joint, 2 bolted joints (vertical and horizontal row), 3 bolted joints and 4 bolted joints). The tightening torque value isn’t significant for the failure mode and has little influence on the global behavior of the bolted joint. The failure modes depend on the edge effects, on the number and disposition of bolts.