Probabilistic strength analysis of bolted joints in laminated composites using point estimate method

Based on a combination of the point estimate method (PEM) and Edgeworth series, a new method is presented for estimating the probabilistic strength of the fastened joint in laminated composites when uncertainties in the input parameters are modeled as random variables. Commercial software ABAQUS is selected as the analysis tool and a user subroutine USFLD is programmed to predict the response of pin-loaded of composite laminates. Due to its simplicity and straightforwardness, PEM is employed to predict the first lower probabilistic moments of the strength of the bolted joint. The cumulative distribution function of pin-joint strength is approximated by the Edgeworth series using the first four moments calculated by PEM. The effects of the failure criteria and the associated degradation on the probabilistic strength of bolted joint are investigated, and the effects of basic input random variables and the dependence between them are also investigated in this paper.