To design a bolted joint, the transition bearing stress and maximumbearing stress have to be regarded. Transition bearing stress is thebearing stress where bearing failure begins and maximum bearing stressis where the joint goes to total failure. A method for studying rotationin a bolted joint has been developed using an optical instrument calledDigital Speckle Photography, DSP, which is a non-contact extensometerusing digital cameras, together with a load frame. The data from DSPsystem is transformed and analyzed to get rotations for different partsof the joint. Thinner joints give higher values on transition bearingstress, higher maximum bearing stress and higher maximum bolt rotation,than thicker joints. Bolt torque has a big impact and higher torquegives the same positive results as thinner joints. Increased secondarybending makes the joint more resistant to bearing failure, whichincreases the transition bearing failure stress, maximum bearing failurestress and maximum bolt rotation. There is a relationship between thecurve slope in a bearing stress versus bolt rotation figure and thetransition bearing stress. If the joint has a lower value on boltrotation, in comparison with other joints, at the same bearing stress,this will lead to a higher transition bearing stress.

Aircraft fuselage skin panels are joined together by rivets. The initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks in aircraft structures at and around the rivet/skin interface is directly related to residual stress field induced during the riveting process and subsequent service loads. Variations in the manufacturing process, such as applied loading and presence of sealant can influence the induced residual stress field. In previous research, the riveting process has been simulated by a 2D axisymmetric force-controlled analysis. The 2D analysis cannot capture the unsymmetrical residual stress state resulting from process variations. Experimental work has also been limited to observing effects of squeeze force on fatigue crack initiation in the riveted lap joint. In this work, a 3D finite element model of the riveting process that incorporates plasticity and contact between the various surfaces is simulated using ABAQUS finite element code to capture the residual stress state at the rivet/skin interface. The finite element model is implemented to observe the effects of interference, sealant and hole quality on the residual stress state using Implicit and Explicit solvers. Effects of subsequent load transfer are also analyzed with the developed model. A set of controlled lap joint fatigue experiments for the different conditions provides validation to the model.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2009. / Principal faculty advisor: Charles B. Swanik, Dept. of Health, Nutrition, & Exercise Sciences. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-169).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references and vita.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2002. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-159).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2009. / Principal faculty advisor: John P. Scholz, Dept. of Physical Therapy. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 89 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-80).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 79 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 78-79).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 55 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.