Experimental evaluation of the effect of clamping force and hole clearance on carbon composites subjected to bearing versus bypass loading

A series of carbon fibre laminate bearing versus bypass load tests were carried out investigating the effect of hole clearance, laminate lay-up, washer contact size and clamping force value. Explanations of the underlying effects that influence the results are discussed. The results compare well with literature but hole clearance was shown to increase joint strength when bypass loads are dominant, which seems counter intuitive, and has not been reported in literature.