Durability of structural joints

Abstract

Structural joints are where the durability, or lack of durability, is usually most evident in composite structural response to combined environmental effects and mechanical loads. The overall durability or degradation of a structural joint is a function of the response of all of the constituents of the joint: individual joined members, fasteners and/or adhesive, shims, sealants, coatings, etc. The objective of this chapter shall be to provide a brief overview of observed durability behavior of composite structural joints, experimental techniques for exploring the durability of joints, analytical predictive methods, and certain empirical case studies, mainly from the aerospace industry. The chapter is logically divided into separate bolted and bonded sections.