Characterization of Pretension High Strength Bolted Friction Grip Connections for CFRP-Steel Structure for Tensile Loading Using Finite Element Analysis

This work involves stress analysis of bolted structures using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) with High-Strength Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composite material such as AS4/8552 R134 AW196 which can be replaceable with the steel for the construction of footbridges and railway bridges though it costs more than ancient steel but strength wise most strong approximately four times than steel. Two CFRP-steel models have been created. One with 16 layered CFRP-steel combination with [0₂/45₂/60₂/90₂]_s ply orientation, and other is 8 layered CFRP-steel combination with [0/45/60/90]_s ply orientation. Here, considering the pretension of HSFG bolts and tensile load which was applied to the connected plates, the stress and deformation behaviors and shear failure of bolts were studied. According to macro mechanical analysis of lamina, failure of lamina in terms of strength ratio is studied. Strength ratio versus Layers of graphs are plotted in order to determine the safe and unsafe laminae or order of failure of laminae from safe to unsafe. From the analysis, it can be concluded that weight reduction and hence material and cost saving of CFRP is possible by testing with the half of the thickness of the cover plates and with regular dimensions. From this study, it can be suggested that lesser material of CFRP can be used when compared with steel for the same application of the construction of bridges.