• A. Periya Karupan
• Arun Kumar.S
• Abhishek.S
• Shivaram Mabla Gouda
• Hemanth Kumar.C

Use of composites is increasing mainly due to its advantage of high strength to weight ratio. The composite structures are constructed using the mechanical joints comprising of either bolted, bonded or hybrid joints. For heavy loading cases, bolted joints are preferred. The main objective of this work is to investigate the influence of geometric parameter (edge distance to diameter ratio), fastener parameter (washer type) and the effect of bolt pre-tightening on the strength of bolted joints in GFRP composites. The mechanical properties such as ultimate strength, toughness and fracture strain of the developed GFRP laminates have been determined experimentally. Taguchi’s design of experiments is used to determine the optimal joint using Minitab. The experimental results revealed that, optimal joint (for ultimate load) was obtained for e/d ratio = 5, tightening torque = 15 N-m along with thick washer. For toughness, optimal joint was obtained when e/d ratio = 4, tightening torque = 10 N-m along with thin washer. Mixed failure modes were observed for most of the cases with higher e/d ratio which reduces the sudden catastrophic failure. For lower e/d ratio shear out mode of failure was witnessed.

Mechanical Joints, Geometric Parameter, Fastener Parameters, Failure Modes

"Experimental Investigation On Mechanical Behaviour Of GFRP Composite Bolted Joints", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 6, page no.392-401, June-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1806300.pdf

"Experimental Investigation On Mechanical Behaviour Of GFRP Composite Bolted Joints", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 6, page no. pp392-401, June-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1806300.pdf