Static Failure Mode Prediction Models

Mechanically Fastened Joints

Joining & Assembly
Static Failure Modes

Net Section Bearing Shear Fastener

Fastener Shear
Tension Tear Out Pull Out
Basic Assumptions for our Predictions
• Failure of ductile materials (both the fastener and the sheets)

Ductile Material Brittle Material

Initial stress concentration Initial stress concentration at

at hole edge hole edge

Plasticity causes load Failure when stress

redistribution concentration reaches strength
Basic Assumptions for our Predictions
• Failure of ductile materials (both the fastener and the sheets)
• All fasteners carry the same load at static failure
25mm
1mm

Ftotal = 12kN
25mm 3.5mm
12kN
Frivet = = 1kN 15mm
12 100mm

12kN (120MPa)
Basic Assumptions for our Predictions
• Failure of ductile materials (both the fastener and the sheets)
• All fasteners carry the same load at static failure
• Be mindful of load path
F F
Load F is transmitted from one plate to
another by two rows of bolts in each case

F F
Net Section Tension Failure
Failure will occur when net section area reaches the
ultimate strength of the sheet material
Ultimate tensile

FNST = Anet ⋅ σ tu
strength of sheet
material

= t (W − n ⋅ d ) ⋅ σ tu
Number of fasteners
along net section

FNST
Bearing Failure
Failure will occur when the stress acting on the projected area of the
sheet on the bolt exceeds the bearing stress allowable for the sheet
material. Bearing strength
of sheet material
Fbr = Abr ⋅ σ br
d
( Abr )1 = d ⋅ t ⋅ σ br

t
This equation gives you the force acting
on the sheet by the bolt at failure, not
the force applied to the entire joint!
Fbr ( Abr )2
Shear Tear Out Failure
Failure will occur when the shear stress acting on the area between
the bolt and joint edge exceeds the shear strength of the sheet
material. Ultimate shear strength
of sheet material
FSTO = ASTO ⋅ σ su
= 2 ⋅ b ⋅ t ⋅ σ su
This equation gives you the force acting
on the sheet by the bolt at failure, not
t the force applied to the entire joint!
FSTO
b
ASTO
Bolt Shear Failure
Failure will occur when the shear stress acting on the area of the bolt
exceeds the shear strength of the bolt material.
Ultimate shear strength
of bolt material

n=1
FBS = ABS ⋅ σ s ,bolt
π 2 
= n  d  σ s ,bolt
n=2
4 
This equation gives you the force acting on
the bolt at failure, not the force applied to
FBS n=3 the entire joint!
Fastener Pull Out Failure

Fastener pull out failure is more complex

and highly dependent on bolt head
geometry, so it is typically evaluated via
test. So we will not consider it here.