Dynamic failure of structural joint systems

Transportation structures rely heavily on the use of structural jointing based on fixing systems such as bolting or welding. Experimental work in this paper offers some insight into the differences between the static and dynamic failure of some joint configurations made using these methods. The main emphasis of this paper is on the examination of a simple dynamic failure of a spot welded lap joint in thin sheet materials that are used extensively in vehicle construction. A comparison is made with similar bolted type lap joints.