Numerical modeling of failure modes in bolted composite laminates

In this paper, a progressive damage model based on a non-linear finite-element incremental approach is proposed, in order to simulate failure mechanisms occurring in bolted fiber-reinforced composite laminates. Two available failure criteria (namely, by Rotem and Huang, and differently accounting for micro-structural material features) are implemented in a plane-stress bi-dimensional formulation, that includes unilateral frictionless contact conditions at the bolt-plate interface. Comparisons with available experimental data both in terms of failure load and failure mode are provided, showing effectiveness and soundness of the proposed approach, and highlighting a good accuracy when a failure criterion that accounts for localization mechanisms and micro-structural features is employed.