Fastener pull-through in a carbon fibre epoxy composite joint

This paper considers the capability of finite element (FE) modelling to accurately predict fastener pull-through failure of composite laminates. Such failures are dominated by inter-ply delamination and through-thickness shear failure of the laminate and the common modelling approach is to use computationally expensive, detailed three-dimensional models that include delamination for every ply interface, fastener contact and prestress. This paper considers a simplified FE modelling strategy achieved through judicious use of symmetry boundary conditions, hybrid shell/solid modelling and reduced numbers of interfaces for delamination. The LS-DYNA FE software was used for this study using the available composite material and cohesive failure models. The conclusion drawn from this work is that the use of simplified FE models does have merit in modelling fastener pull-through provided the material is quasi-isotropic and the boundary conditions are uniform around a circular perimeter. Additional work is however required to determine suitable cohesive properties and progressive shear failure parameters.