Behaviors of a single crack in multiple bolted joints

This paper examines the pin load ratios and the stress intensity factors "SIFs# of a single crack in the multiple bolted joints by using _nite element analyses[ Cubic!spline contact elements and rigid links were used to model the contact surface between the bolt and the rigid pin[ The least!squares method was used to determine the SIFs[ The _nite element results indicate that the cracked hole can still sustain the major part of the original loading at the uncracked condition[ The _rst hole sustains the largest pin load and mode!I SIF\ which are reduced little for crack propagation[ This critical condition cannot be reduced by the arrangement of more pins in the plate[ In this paper\ two simple formulae were also investigated to _t the load ratios and SIFs of the multiple bolted!joints problems