Analysis of a double shear lap joint with interference fit pin

This paper presents the study of stress distribution in a double-shear lap joint with interference fit pin subjected to inplane plate loads using FELJNT, a finite element software developed for this special purpose. FELJNT accounts for the effects of damping and flexure of the bolt without having to adopt a laborious three-dimensional analysis. It carries out stress analysis in an axisymmetric region around the pin under non-axisymmetric loading. It uses an iterative method of contact stress analysis and a dummy element concept with frontal solver for finite element solution. This paper discusses the load for initiation of separation, through-the-thickness stress distribution, and qualitatively the beneficial effects of interference on fatigue life of the joint. The paper concludes with comparison of FELJNT results with those of JACKAL, a three-dimensional finite element analysis software for joints.