Failure load of composite single-lap bolting joint under traction force and bending moment

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the behavior of single-lap joints in glass fiber reinforced epoxy (GFRE) composites under tension and pure bending loading conditions, with a constant W/D ratio (3) and variable the E/D ratios (3, 4, 5) and tightening torque values (0, 3 and 6 Nm). Bending properties were determined using four-point bending test. The experimental results show that in the tension tests, with increasing E/D ratio and tightening torque, the value of failure bearing stress increased. And in the bending tests, it is seen that atzero torque, with the increase of the E/D ratio, the bending strength value increases, but this increase is small at T=3, 6 Nm torques. And in these tests, the joint failed at the center, near the bolt, because of the excessive delaminations on the compressive side