Mechanical fastening of carbon composite tubes, numerical calculation of axial loading capacity and experimental verification

This contribution improves the mechanical fastening technology for a CFRP-tube with a rough surface texture (knurled surface [11]) in the contact area. Numerical analysis (extended by Puck's fracture condition) and experimental analysis are used in this paper to investigate which knurled geometry has the best rate of fiber failure, and also the inter fiber failure in relation to the increased friction force of the mechanical joint. In contrast to the position generally held in the literature it is possible to achieve high loading capacity, even if the laminate is damaged partly and locally by the joining technology, as shown by the following analysis with conclusions. Furthermore, it gives the opportunity to integrate a ductile behavior in the material structure. Overall, this leads to new ways of designing components with CFRP. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.