Joints and Doublers

Bill Gran
GRAN Corporation
Joints and Doublers

by

BILL GRAN
President, CEO & Super Genius

GRAN CORPORATION

First Edition

GRAN CORPORATION
2010
Joints and Doublers

Copyright, 2010, by GRAN Corporation. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

GRAN Corporation Whitney, Texas

Legal Department

While every effort has been made to assure that the information contained in the book is accurate
and correct, it is only intended to provide general information for educational use. It is not intended to
be a substitute for the reader’s own research and judgment and the author assumes no liability for
damages or losses caused by, directly or indirectly, the information contained within.
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Table of Contents

1.0 BOLT LOAD DISTRIBUTION .......................................................................................................................... 1

SHEAR STRENGTH ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
LOAD DISTRIBUTION........................................................................................................................................................ 1
CHECK .......................................................................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 FASTENER FLEXIBILITY ................................................................................................................................ 2
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................................................. 2
DATA FOR CALCULATING JOINT SPRING CONSTANTS .............................................................................................................. 3
Figure E-1 ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
Table E-2 ................................................................................................................................................................ 3
PLATE CONSTANTS.......................................................................................................................................................... 4
FASTENED-JOINT SPRING CONSTANTS ................................................................................................................................ 4
THREE EQUATIONS, THREE UNKNOWNS.............................................................................................................................. 4
Solve ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
SINGLE SHEAR................................................................................................................................................................ 5
DOUBLE SHEAR .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
3.0 LAP JOINT ................................................................................................................................................... 6
TENSION IN SHEET .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Table 8.1.2(a) Standard Rivet-Hole Drill Sizes and Nominal Hole Diameters ........................................................ 6
Sheet Tension Margin of Safety ............................................................................................................................. 6
SHEAR .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
a
Table 8.1.2.1(b) Shear Strength Correction Factors for Solid Protruding Head Rivets ......................................... 7
Single Shear Strength............................................................................................................................................. 7
Single Shear Margin of Safety ............................................................................................................................... 7
BEARING ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Unit Bearing Strength ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Table 8.1.2.1(a) Unit Bearing Strength of Sheet on Rivets F br = 100 ksi ................................................................ 8
Bearing Factor ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Bearing Strength .................................................................................................................................................... 8
Bearing Margin of Safety ....................................................................................................................................... 8
4.0 SPLICE ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
GIVEN .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
DATA ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9
FASTENER LOADS.......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Table .................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Load Distribution Chart........................................................................................................................................ 10
Load in Center Segment ....................................................................................................................................... 10
COMPARE SPLICES WITH THREE TO TEN FASTENERS............................................................................................................. 11
Table .................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Column Chart ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
NUMERICAL METHOD ................................................................................................................................................... 12
Table .................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Load Distribution Chart........................................................................................................................................ 12
OVERSIZE HOLE............................................................................................................................................................ 13
Table .................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Load Distribution Chart........................................................................................................................................ 13
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5.0 DOUBLERS ................................................................................................................................................ 14

DOUBLER .................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Given .................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Data ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14
End Fastener Load ............................................................................................................................................... 15
Center of Doubler ................................................................................................................................................ 15
SPLICE AND DOUBLER COMPARISON................................................................................................................................. 16
Splice Load Distribution ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Doubler Load Distribution .................................................................................................................................... 16
NUMERICAL METHOD I.................................................................................................................................................. 17
Table .................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Load Distribution ................................................................................................................................................. 17
NUMERICAL METHOD II................................................................................................................................................. 18
Table .................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Load Distribution ................................................................................................................................................. 18
OVERSIZE HOLE............................................................................................................................................................ 19
Table .................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Load Distribution ................................................................................................................................................. 19
LOADS IN THE PLASTIC RANGE ......................................................................................................................................... 20
Load Distribution ................................................................................................................................................. 20
Free Body Diagram .............................................................................................................................................. 20
Fastener Load versus Joint Deflection.................................................................................................................. 20
Internal Loads in the Plastic Range ...................................................................................................................... 22
PARABOLIC WAG METHOD ........................................................................................................................................... 23
Example 1 ............................................................................................................................................................ 23
Example 2 ............................................................................................................................................................ 23
Three Equations, Three Unknowns ...................................................................................................................... 24
MULTIPLE DOUBLERS .................................................................................................................................................... 25
First Iteration ....................................................................................................................................................... 26
Second Iteration................................................................................................................................................... 27
Third Iteration ...................................................................................................................................................... 28
Case I - Free Body Diagram .................................................................................................................................. 29
Case II - Free Body Diagram ................................................................................................................................. 29
Case I – Load Distribution .................................................................................................................................. 30
Case II – Load Distribution ................................................................................................................................. 30
Spreadsheet ......................................................................................................................................................... 31
6.0 BUTT JOINTS ............................................................................................................................................. 34
RECURRENCE FORMULA ................................................................................................................................................. 34
Figure ................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Plate Constant ..................................................................................................................................................... 34
Bolt Constant ....................................................................................................................................................... 34
Loads in Successive Bolts – General Relationship ................................................................................................ 34
Matrix Form ......................................................................................................................................................... 35
Fastener Loads ..................................................................................................................................................... 36
Load Distribution ................................................................................................................................................. 36
FINITE DIFFERENCE EQUATION ........................................................................................................................................ 37
Figure ................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Constants ............................................................................................................................................................. 37
Bolt Expressions ................................................................................................................................................... 38
SHEAR LAG ANALOGY .................................................................................................................................................... 39
Figure ................................................................................................................................................................... 39
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Bolt Constant ....................................................................................................................................................... 39

Modified Shear Lag Parameter ............................................................................................................................ 39
Bolt Expressions ................................................................................................................................................... 40
Comparison .......................................................................................................................................................... 41
Fastener Loads ..................................................................................................................................................... 41
Butt Joint.............................................................................................................................................................. 42
Load Distribution ................................................................................................................................................. 42
PARABOLIC WAG METHOD ........................................................................................................................................... 43
Average Bolt Load................................................................................................................................................ 43
Assume Bolt Loads ............................................................................................................................................... 43
Goal Seek ............................................................................................................................................................. 43
Parabolic Equation............................................................................................................................................... 44
Solution ................................................................................................................................................................ 44
Fastener Loads ..................................................................................................................................................... 45
Load Distribution ................................................................................................................................................. 46
Comparison .......................................................................................................................................................... 47
Butt Joint.............................................................................................................................................................. 47
Load Distribution ................................................................................................................................................. 47
BUTT JOINT ................................................................................................................................................................. 48
Plate Constants .................................................................................................................................................... 48
Bolt Constant ....................................................................................................................................................... 48
Loads in Successive Bolts – General Relationship ................................................................................................ 49
Loads in Successive Bolts ..................................................................................................................................... 49
Fastener Loads ..................................................................................................................................................... 50
7.0 FATIGUE ................................................................................................................................................... 51
LAP JOINTS .................................................................................................................................................................. 51
BUTT JOINTS................................................................................................................................................................ 51
Single Shear ......................................................................................................................................................... 51
Double Shear ....................................................................................................................................................... 51
DOUBLERS .................................................................................................................................................................. 51
Stepped Doubler .................................................................................................................................................. 51
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 52
ASTM International – Special Technical Publications .......................................................................................... 52
American Society of Mechanical Engineers – ASME ............................................................................................ 52
ASM International (American Society for Metals) ............................................................................................... 52
Society for Experimental Mechanics – SEM ......................................................................................................... 52
Miscellaneous ...................................................................................................................................................... 52
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1.0 Bolt Load Distribution

Elmer F. Bruhn Analysis and Design of Flight Vehicle Structures page D1.3

P = 100,000 lb

P P

D C B A A B C D

Shear Strength

ANC-5 Strength of Metal Aircraft Elements page 32

Table 2.6111(a) Shear and Tensile Strengths … of Steel Bolts and Pins

Bolt AN Bolt Diameter Single Shear Double Shear

A AN-10 5/8 23,000 46,000 lb

B AN-9 9 / 16 18,700 37,400 lb

C AN-7 7 / 16 11,250 22,500 lb

D AN-5 5 / 16 5,750 11,500 lb

 117,400 lb

Load Distribution

Check

P = 39,182 lb + 31,857 lb + 19,165 lb + 9,796 lb = 100,000 lb

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2.0 Fastener Flexibility

Pitch = 1.00 inch 0.250 inch diameter steel fasteners

b = 1.00 inch t 1 = 0.080 inch t 2 = 0.100 inch

References

Heimo Huth

Influence of Fastener Flexibility on the Prediction of Load Transfer and Fatigue Life for Multiple-Row Joints

Correct equation is...

a
C = [ ( t1 + t2 ) / 2 d ] ( b / n ) [ 1 / ( t1 E1 ) + 1 / ( n t2 E2 ) + 1 / ( 2 t1 E3 ) + 1 / ( 2 n t2 E3 ) ]

“Zum Einflub der Nietnachgiebigkeit mehrreihiger Nietverbindungen auf die Lastübertragungs - und
Lebensdauervorhersage”

LBF Report No. FB-172, Dissertation, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany, 1984.

Thanks to analyst64 on the www.eng-tips.com website.

Manford B. Tate and Samuel J. Rosenfeld

NACA TN-1051 Preliminary Investigation of the Loads Carried by Individual Bolts in Bolted Joints

Samuel J. Rosenfeld

ASTM STP 927 Fatigue in Mechanically Fastened Composite and Metallic Joints

NACA TN-1458 Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Bolted Joints

T. Swift Development of the Fail-Safe Design Features of the DC-10

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints

http://www.dtic.mil/

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Data for Calculating Joint Spring Constants

William F. McCombs

Engineering Column Analysis - The Analysis of Compression Members Appendix E, page E1

Figure E-1

t/D

Table E-2

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Plate Constants

Samuel J. Rosenfeld

NACA TN-1458 Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Bolted Joints page 6

p Fastener Pitch

b Plate Width

t Plate Thickness

E Young’s Modulus

Fastened-Joint Spring Constants

William F. McCombs

Engineering Column Analysis - The Analysis of Compression Members Appendix E, page E1

’ ’
t 1 / d = 0.080 inch / 0.25 inch = 0.32 A = 0.64 k 1 = k 3 = 0.64 ( 423,000 ) = 270,720 lb /
inch
’
t 2 / d = 0.100 inch / 0.25 inch = 0.40 A = 0.80 k 2 = 0.80 ( 423,000 ) = 338,400 lb / inch

Three Equations, Three Unknowns

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Solve

-1

Single Shear

Take this analysis with a block of salt. Compare to 5,000 lb / 3 = 1,667 lb per fastener.

Double Shear

In a similar fashion:

848 710 941

848 710 941

848 710 941

848 710 941

Compare to 5,000 lb / 6 = 833 lb

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3.0 Lap Joint

William F. McCombs Analysis and Design of Flight Vehicle Structures page D1.24

See page D3.14 Good Practice - Holes in Line Poor Practice - Holes Staggered

Ultimate Load = 869.6 lb / inch ( 1.15 Fitting Factor ) = 1,000 lb / inch

1.00 inch
1,000 lb / inch 1,000 lb / inch

Tension in Sheet

Elmer F. Bruhn Analysis and Design of Flight Vehicle Structures Table D1.6, page
D1.21

MMPDS-01 Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization page 8-12

Table 8.1.2(a) Standard Rivet-Hole Drill Sizes and Nominal Hole Diameters

AD Rivets, Driven AL 2117-T3 5/32 inch diameter Nominal Hole Diameter = 0.159 inch

Ultimate Tension F tu = 60 ksi Clad 2024-T3 0.040 inch thick sheet

2
Net Area A net = 0.040 inch ( 1.00 inch - 0.159 inch ) = 0.0336 in
2
Tension Allowable P allow = F tu A net = 60,000 psi ( 0.0336 in ) = 2,018 lb

Sheet Tension Margin of Safety

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Shear

MMPDS-01 Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization page 8-13

a
Table 8.1.2(b) Single Shear Strength of Solid Rivets

MMPDS-01 Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization page 8-15

a
Table 8.1.2.1(b) Shear Strength Correction Factors for Solid Protruding Head Rivets

a
Sheet thickness is that of the thinnest sheet in single-shear joints and the middle sheet in double-shear joints.

MMPDS-01 Section 8.1.2.1 Protruding-Head Solid Rivet Joints page 8-11

In computing protruding-head rivet design shear strengths, the shear strength values obtained from Table
8.1.2(b) should be multiplied by the correction factors given in Table 8.1.2.1(b). This compensates for the
reduction in rivet shear strength resulting from high bearing stresses on the rivet at t/D ratios less than 0.33 for
single-shear joints and 0.67 for double-shear joints.

Single Shear Strength

P allow = P s C = 596 lb per rivet ( 0.964 ) 2 rivets = 1,149 lb

Single Shear Margin of Safety

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Bearing

Unit Bearing Strength

MMPDS-01 Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization page 8-14

Table 8.1.2.1(a) Unit Bearing Strength of Sheet on Rivets F br = 100 ksi

Bearing Factor

William F. McCombs Analysis and Design of Flight Vehicle Structures Table D1.8, page
D1.22

ANC-5 Strength of Metal Aircraft Elements

Table 3.6111(b) Aluminum Alloy and Plate – Bearing Factors, page 84

Clad 2024-T3 0.040 inch thick A Values Edge Margin = 5 / 16 inch e/D = 2

K = 1.14 Ratio of actual bearing strength of sheet to F br = 100 ksi

Bearing Strength

From Table 8.1.2.1(a) Unit Bearing Strength P br = 636 lb

P allow = P br K = 636 lb per rivet ( 1.14 ) 2 rivets = 1,450 lb

Bearing Margin of Safety

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4.0 Splice

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints pages 28 - 30

td
19 inch
Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ts

Given

Q = 8,000 lb t s = 0.20 inch t d = 0.20 inch Pitch, p = 1.90 inch

Width = 1.84 inch Steel, E = 29 msi D = 0.375 inch k F = 800,000 lb / inch

Data

Net Effective Area A s = ( Width - 0.80 D ) t s Note: cos 40° = 0.766

2
A s = [ 1.84 inch - 0.80 ( 0.375 inch ) ] 0.20 inch = 0.308 in
2
A d = [ 1.84 inch - 0.80 ( 0.375 inch ) ] 0.20 inch = 0.308 in

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Fastener Loads

Table
Fastener x Pn PF %
n inch lb lb

1 1.9 1,782.5 1,782 22.3%

2 3.8 2,788.6 1,006 12.6%
3 5.7 3,370.6 582 7.3%
4 7.6 3,732.2 362 4.5%
5 9.5 4,000.0 268 3.3%
6 11.4 4,267.8 268 3.3%
7 13.3 4,629.4 362 4.5%
8 15.2 5,211.4 582 7.3%
9 17.1 6,217.5 1,006 12.6%
10 19.0 8,000.0 1,782 22.3%

Load Distribution Chart

Load in Center Segment

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Compare Splices with Three to Ten Fasteners

Table

Series 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

L 19 17.1 15.2 13.3 11.4 9.5 7.6 5.7

C1 14.675 26.361 47.441 85.663 155.63 285.96 536.78 1,051.4

n 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

Fasteners PF PF PF PF PF PF PF PF

lb lb lb lb lb lb lb lb

1 1,782 1,794 1,815 1,853 1,922 2,050 2,298 2,806

2 1,006 1,022 1,050 1,101 1,194 1,368 1,702 2,388
3 582 607 652 734 884 1,164 1,702 2,806
4 362 405 483 625 884 1,368 2,298
5 268 345 483 734 1,194 2,050
6 268 405 652 1,101 1,922
7 362 607 1,050 1,853
8 582 1,022 1,815
9 1,006 1,794
10 1,782

Column Chart

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Numerical Method

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints pages 39 to 43

Table

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Load Distribution Chart

Lower Member – Black Upper Member – Grey

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Oversize Hole

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints pages 31 to 43

Assume the first fastener hole is “sloppy”. Without a 0.003 inch oversize hole …

Assume that the first fastener takes half of the 1,600 lb for the first iteration in column six.

Use a trial and error method changing the load in the first fastener (Column 6) until the load in the far
end of the upper member (Column 7) is equal to Q, in this case 8,000 pounds.

Table

Load Distribution Chart

Lower Member – Black Upper Member – Grey

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5.0 Doublers

Doubler

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints pages 27 and 28

td
19 inch
Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ts

Given

Q = 8,000 lb t s = 0.200 inch t d = 0.200 inch Pitch, p = 1.90 inch

Width = 1.84 inch Steel, E = 29 msi D = 0.375 inch k F = 800,000 lb / inch

Data

Net Effective Area A s = ( Width - 0.80 D ) t s Note: cos 40° = 0.766

2
A s = [ 1.84 inch - 0.80 ( 0.375 inch ) ] 0.20 inch = 0.308 in
2
A d = [ 1.84 inch - 0.80 ( 0.375 inch ) ] 0.20 inch = 0.308 in

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End Fastener Load

Table
Fastener x Pn PF %
n inch lb lb

1 1.9 1,768.0 1,768 22.1%

2 3.8 2,754.5 987 12.3%
3 5.7 3,305.0 550 6.9%
4 7.6 3,612.2 307 3.8%
5 9.5 3,783.6 171 2.1%
6 11.4 3,783.6 -171 2.1%
7 13.3 3,612.2 -307 3.8%
8 15.2 3,305.0 -550 6.9%
9 17.1 2,754.5 -987 12.3%
10 19.0 1,768.0 -1,768 22.1%

Fastener Loads

Center of Doubler

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Splice and Doubler Comparison

Splice Load Distribution

A splice’s function is to transfer a given load. It is kept as short as possible in accomplishing this.
Page 42

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Lower Member – Black Upper Member – Grey

Doubler Load Distribution

A doubler’s function is to pick up load (and relieve another member). In order to do this efficiently it
must have some considerable length, although this is kept to a minimum. Therefore doublers are, by
nature, relatively long members compared to splices. Page 42

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Lower Member – Black Upper Member – Grey

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Numerical Method I

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints pages 31 to 38

Table

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Load Distribution
Lower Member – Black Doubler – Grey

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Numerical Method II

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints pages 31 to 38

Using the approximate stiffness equation:

Table

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Load Distribution
Lower Member – Black Doubler – Grey

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Oversize Hole

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints pages 31 to 43

Assume the first fastener hole is “sloppy”. Without a 0.003 inch oversize hole …

Assume that the first fastener takes half of the 1,600 lb for the first iteration. Using a trial and error
method change the load in the first fastener (until the load in the far end of the doubler (Column 7) is
zero.

Table

Load Distribution
Lower Member – Black Doubler – Grey

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Loads in the Plastic Range

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints pages 45 to 57

D
S

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Q = 44,800 lb Pitch = 1.00 inch K S = 2,360,000 lb / inch K D = 1,920,000 lb / inch

Load Distribution

Free Body Diagram

Fastener Load versus Joint Deflection

K FA = 4,889.6 lb / 0.0191 inch = 256,000 lb / inch

K FB = ( 6459.8 lb - 4,889.6 lb ) / ( 0.0343 inch - 0.0191 inch ) = 103,300 lb / inch

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First Iteration

Second Iteration

Third Iteration

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Internal Loads in the Plastic Range

Table III.3

Fastener Loads

Base and Doubler Loads

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Parabolic WAG Method

If I were to invent my own doubler analysis method for preliminary analysis, I would assume that the
load at the center of the base member is equal to the “EA ratio” times the load.

You then have three points of the load distribution curve. Solve for the equation of a parabola. Voilà.
Splice analysis could be accomplished in similar fashion.

Stick with William McCombs, Manford Tate and Samuel Rosenfeld.

Example 1

t d = 0.100 inch t s = 0.200 inch

Example 2

t d = 0.200 inch t s = 0.100 inch

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Three Equations, Three Unknowns

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Multiple Doublers

William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints pages 57 thru 63

Q = 32,000 lb Pitch = 1.00 inch

D2 D1
Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
S
6 6 6
K Fn = 0.47 x10 lb/in per inch K Sn = K D1n = 2.47 x10 K D2n = 1.23 x10

See page 59:

a Combine the stacked doublers D 1 and D 2 into one member, D , (by adding the k values) as
in Figure III.13c. This assumes the fasteners between them to be rigid.

b Determine the corresponding fastener loads between this assumed member, D 1 , and the
base structure, S, in the conventional tabular manner. Note the strains, Column 9 of the table.

Q 7,883 4,794 2,727 1,526 809 809 1,526 2,727 4,794 7,883 Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

c. Then consider only the two doublers, as they actually exist, to be a structure subjected to the
loads of (b) above, applied to the member D 1 , as in Figure III.13d.

d. Determine the internal loads for this configuration and loading and also note the strains in the
member D 1 Column 15 of the table. Member D 1 is the "base structure" in this analysis.

e Calculate an effective k D value for the combined members D 1 and D 2 using the member
strains from (b) and (d) above is follows:

For any segment the effective k D of the combined members is taken as

Repeat steps (b) through (e) until the doubler strains equal the base strains.

A rougher estimate can, of course, be obtained simply by carrying out steps (a) and (b) only one time.
This assumes the doublers to be one integral member ard therefore results in the fastener loads and
the doubler load being larger than they actually are.

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First Iteration

Strain and Effective Stiffness

Compare the doubler strains from Column 9 in the first table to base strains in Column 15 of the
second table. Use the effective stiffness you calculate in the first iteration for the second calculation
and so on.

Doubler Base
Strain Strain Ratio K K eff

inch / inch inch / inch lb/in per inch

0.00319 0.00319 1.00 2.47 2.470

0.00343 0.00412 0.83 3.70 3.078
0.00416 0.00461 0.90 3.70 3.344
0.00458 0.00486 0.94 3.70 3.483
0.00479 0.00499 0.96 3.70 3.555
0.00479 0.00499 0.96 3.70 3.555
0.00458 0.00486 0.94 3.70 3.483
0.00416 0.00461 0.90 3.70 3.344
0.00343 0.00412 0.83 3.70 3.078
0.00319 0.00319 1.00 2.47 2.470

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Second Iteration

Strain and Effective Stiffness

Doubler Base
Strain Strain Ratio K K eff

inch / inch inch / inch lb/in per inch

0.00313 0.00313 1.000 2.470 2.47

0.00399 0.00399 1.001 3.078 3.080
0.00448 0.00448 1.001 3.344 3.347
0.00475 0.00475 1.000 3.483 3.483
0.00489 0.00490 0.999 3.555 3.554
0.00489 0.00490 0.999 3.555 3.554
0.00475 0.00475 1.000 3.483 3.483
0.00448 0.00448 1.001 3.344 3.347
0.00399 0.00399 1.001 3.078 3.080
0.00313 0.00313 1.000 2.470 2.47

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Third Iteration

Strain and Effective Stiffness

Doubler Base
Strain Strain Ratio K K eff

inch / inch inch / inch lb/in per inch

0.00313 0.00313 1.00 2.470 2.470

0.00399 0.00399 1.00 3.080 3.080
0.00448 0.00448 1.00 3.347 3.347
0.00475 0.00475 1.00 3.483 3.483
0.00490 0.00490 1.00 3.554 3.554
0.00490 0.00490 1.00 3.554 3.554
0.00475 0.00475 1.00 3.483 3.483
0.00448 0.00448 1.00 3.347 3.347
0.00399 0.00399 1.00 3.080 3.080
0.00313 0.00313 1.00 2.470 2.470

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Case I - Free Body Diagram

Q 7,883 4,794 2,727 1,526 809 809 1,526 2,727 4,794 7,883 Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Load Distribution
Lower Member – Black Doublers – Grey

Case II - Free Body Diagram

2,435 1,491 887 493 493 887 1,491 2,435

Q 7,721 4,570 2,695 1,561 853 853 1,561 2,695 4,570 7,721 Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Load Distribution

Lower Member – Black Lwr Doubler - Grey Upr Doubler – White

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Case I – Load Distribution

Case II – Load Distribution

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Spreadsheet

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William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints

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William F. McCombs, James C. McQueen, Jeffrey L. Perry

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints

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6.0 Butt Joints

Recurrence Formula

Samuel J. Rosenfeld

NACA TN-1458 Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Bolted Joints Appendix B, page 21

Figure S
P

Q
Q/2
Q/2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

24S-T Plates E = 10,500 ksi Pitch, p = 1.25 inch t p = 0.375 inch t s = 0.1875 inch

Alloy Steel Bolts E bb = 29,000 ksi D = 0.250 inch Width, b = 3.50 inch

Plate Constant

Bolt Constant

General Expression

NACA TN-1051 Preliminary Investigation of the Loads Carried by Individual Bolts in Bolted Joints

Equal Plate Areas

For 24S-T plates with alloy steel bolts and equal plate areas:

NACA TN-1051 Equation 4, page 7

Loads in Successive Bolts – General Relationship NACA TN-1051 Equation 1, page 6

For a butt strap thickness half of the the main plate thickness NACA TN-1458 Equation 7, page 7

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Matrix Form

-1.1567 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R0 -0.0783 Q

1 -2.1567 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 0

0 1 -2.1567 1 0 0 0 0 0 R2 0

0 0 1 -2.1567 1 0 0 0 0 R3 0

0 0 0 1 -2.1567 1 0 0 0 R4 = 0

0 0 0 0 1 -2.1567 1 0 0 R5 0

0 0 0 0 0 1 -2.1567 1 0 R6 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 -2.1567 1 R7 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 -1.1567 R8 -0.0783 Q

Invert Matrix and Multiply

-2.080 -1.406 -0.952 -0.647 -0.443 -0.309 -0.224 -0.173 -0.150 -0.0783 Q 0.1746 Q

-1.406 -1.626 -1.101 -0.748 -0.513 -0.358 -0.259 -0.200 -0.173 0 0.1237 Q

-0.952 -1.101 -1.422 -0.967 -0.663 -0.462 -0.334 -0.259 -0.224 0 0.0921 Q

-0.647 -0.748 -0.967 -1.337 -0.916 -0.639 -0.462 -0.358 -0.309 0 0.0749 Q

-0.443 -0.513 -0.663 -0.916 -1.313 -0.916 -0.663 -0.513 -0.443 0 = 0.0695 Q

-0.309 -0.358 -0.462 -0.639 -0.916 -1.337 -0.967 -0.748 -0.647 0 0.0749 Q

-0.224 -0.259 -0.334 -0.462 -0.663 -0.967 -1.422 -1.101 -0.952 0 0.0921 Q

-0.173 -0.200 -0.259 -0.358 -0.513 -0.748 -1.101 -1.626 -1.406 0 0.1237 Q

-0.150 -0.173 -0.224 -0.309 -0.443 -0.647 -0.952 -1.406 -2.080 -0.0783 Q 0.1746 Q

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Fastener Loads

For Q = 10,000 lb

Q
Q/2
Q/2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Load Distribution

For Q = 10,000 lb

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Finite Difference Equation

Samuel J. Rosenfeld

NACA TN-1458 Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Bolted Joints Appendix B, page
22

Figure S
P

Q
Q/2
Q/2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

24S-T Plates E = 10,500 ksi Pitch, p = 1.25 inch t p = 0.375 inch t s = 0.1875
inch
Alloy Steel Bolts E bb = 29,000 ksi D = 0.250 inch Width, b = 3.50 inch

Constants

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Bolt Expressions

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Shear Lag Analogy

Samuel J. Rosenfeld

NACA TN-1458 Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Bolted Joints Appendix B, page 24

Figure
P S

Q
Q/2
Q/2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

24S-T Plates E = 10,500 ksi Pitch, p = 1.25 inch t p = 0.375 inch t s = 0.1875
inch
Alloy Steel Bolts E bb = 29,000 ksi D = 0.250 inch Width, b = 3.50 inch

Bolt Constant

General Expression

NACA TN-1458 Equation 2, page 5 NACA TN-1051 Equation A14, page 30

Equal Plate Areas

NACA TN-1458 Equation 8, page 7 NACA TN-1051 Equation 4, page 7

When the joints are made of 24S-T plates with t s = t p / 2 , fastened by alloy steel bolts, the
expression for the bolt constant (equation 2) reduces to

Modified Shear Lag Parameter

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Bolt Expressions

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Comparison

NACA TN-1458 Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Bolted Joints Appendix B, page
30

Recurrence Formula Finite Difference Shear Lag Analogy

Bolt Fraction R / R avg Fraction R / R avg Fraction R / R avg

1 0.1746 1.5717 0.1746 1.5717 0.1742 1.5674

2 0.1237 1.1130 0.1237 1.1130 0.1230 1.1066

3 0.0921 0.8286 0.0921 0.8286 0.0913 0.8214

4 0.0749 0.6741 0.0749 0.6741 0.0741 0.6666

5 0.0695 0.6251 0.0695 0.6251 0.0686 0.6176

6 0.0749 0.6741 0.0749 0.6741 0.0741 0.6666

7 0.0921 0.8286 0.0921 0.8286 0.0913 0.8214

8 0.1237 1.1130 0.1237 1.1130 0.1230 1.1066

9 0.1746 1.5717 0.1746 1.5717 0.1742 1.5674

1.0000 1.0000 0.9935

R avg = Q / 9 fasteners

Fastener Loads

For Q = 10,000 lb

Recurrence Formula - Red Finite Difference - Green Shear Lag Analogy -

Blue

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Butt Joint

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Load Distribution

Three Members

Combining Upper and Lower Straps

Note:

AFFDL-TR-67-184 Analytical Design Methods for Aircraft Structural Joints page 22

If desired, hyperbolic functions can be used to replace some of the exponential forms since
z –z z –z
e - e = 2 sinh z and e + e = 2 cosh z

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Parabolic WAG Method

P S

Q
Q/2
Q/2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

24S-T Plates E = 10,500 ksi Pitch, p = 1.25 inch t p = 0.375 inch t s = 0.1875
inch
Alloy Steel Bolts E bb = 29,000 ksi D = 0.250 inch Width, b = 3.50 inch

Average Bolt Load

P avg = 10,000 lb / 9 bolts = 1,111.1 lb

Assume Bolt Loads

Assume a parabolic bolt load distribution where:

End Bolts P 1 = P 9 = P avg ( 1 + n % ) = 1,111.1 lb ( 1 + n % )

Center Bolt P 5 = P avg ( n % ) = 1,111.1 lb ( n % )

Goal Seek

Solve for n by Trial and Error. You might use the “EA Ratio” of 50% for the first guess.

End Bolts P 1 = P 9 = P avg ( 1 + n % ) = 1,111.1 lb ( 1 + 0.549 ) = 1,721 lb

Center Bolt P 5 = P avg ( n % ) = 1,111.1 lb ( 0.549 ) = 610 lb

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Parabolic Equation

Solution
Recurrence Formula Parabolic WAG Method

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Fastener Loads

Recurrence Formula

Q
Q/2
Q/2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

For Q = 10,000 lb

Parabolic WAG Method

For Q = 10,000 lb

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Load Distribution

Recurrence Formula

Q
Q/2
Q/2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

For Q = 10,000 lb

Parabolic WAG Method

For Q = 10,000 lb

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Comparison

For Q = 10,000 lb

Parabolic WAG Method – White

Recurrence Formula – Red Finite Difference – Green Shear Lag Analogy –

Blue

Butt Joint

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Load Distribution

Combining Upper and Lower Straps

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Butt Joint

Manford B. Tate and Samuel J. Rosenfeld

NACA TN-1051 Preliminary Investigation of the Loads Carried by Individual Bolts in Bolted Joints

Appendix B pages 34 to 36

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1

24S-T Plates E = 10,500 ksi Pitch, p = 1.00 inch t p = 0.3125 inch t s = 0.1875
inch

Alloy Steel Bolts E bb = 29,000 ksi D = 0.250 inch Width, b = 2.00 inch

Plate Constants

Bolt Constant

General Expression

NACA TN-1051 Preliminary Investigation of the Loads Carried by Individual Bolts in Bolted Joints

Unequal Plate Areas

Using average thickness in the equation for 24S-T plates with alloy steel bolts and equal plate areas:

NACA TN-1051 Equation 4, page 7

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Loads in Successive Bolts – General Relationship

NACA TN-1051 Equation 1, page 6

Bolts are identical …

Loads in Successive Bolts

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Fastener Loads

For Q = 10,000 lb

Q Q

1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1

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7.0 Fatigue

NAVWEPS 00-25-559 Tips on Fatigue Clarence R. Smith

Department of the Navy Prepared for the Bureau of Naval Weapons Selected quotes below.

Lap Joints

While the lap joint is the simplest of all joints, its main problem is that, when the two sheets of material
are joined, they tend to align themselves with each other. This causes the sheet to be bent at the first
fastener, which is already suffering from too much load. This offset in alignment is commonly called
eccentricity.

Butt Joints

Single Shear

The single shear butt joint is really two lap joints facing each other, so it has the same problem as the
lap joint. One of its advantages is that the doubler can be made thicker than the material being
spliced. This reduces the effects of bending, but it creates an additional problem: the rivet nearest the
doubler’s edge now carries most of the load just as in the case of the clevis joint …

Double Shear

Double shear butt joints are superior to those of the single shear type. This is because the symmetry
of the double shear type eliminates the bending effects found in the single shear. However, the
double shear type also has the problem of load distribution between fasteners. Scarfing, or providing
auxiliary doublers as for single shear joints, will improve fatigue life.

Doublers

Some degree of deformation can be achieved by thinning the doubler material between the first two
rows of fasteners so the second row can carry some of the load. Since doubler material must stretch
in order to do this, the thickness at the first fastener should be less than half of the material being
spliced.

The auxiliary doubler should be long enough to engage an extra row of rivets outside the main splice
area. Here again there is a compromise between the practical and theoretical optimum thickness of
auxiliary doublers.

Auxiliary thin doublers when properly used will increase the lifetime more than ten times.

Intuition should tell us that the doubler material between the first two rows of fasteners should be
thinned down so it will stretch without overloading the first row of fasteners.

Stepped Doubler

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References

NAVWEPS 00-25-559 Tips on Fatigue Clarence R. Smith

Department of the Navy Prepared for the Bureau of Naval Weapons

ASTM International – Special Technical Publications

STP 9 References on Fatigue
STP 91 Manual on Fatigue Testing
STP 203 Fatigue on Aircraft Structures
STP 237 Symposium on Basic Mechanism of Fatigue
STP 274 Symposium on Fatigue of Aircraft Structures
STP 284 Symposium on Acoustical Fatigue
STP 338 Symposium on Fatigue Tests of Aircraft Structures: Low-cycle, Full-scale, and Helicopters

Note: ASTM International was originally called the American Society for Testing and Materials.

http://www.astm.org/COMMIT/filtrexx40.cgi?-P+COMMIT+E08+commitpubs_stp.frm

American Society of Mechanical Engineers – ASME

Conference (International) on Fatigue of Metals – Proceedings

ASM International (American Society for Metals)

Metals Handbook

Society for Experimental Mechanics – SEM

Handbook of Experimental Stress ........................................................ Edited by M. Hetenyi

Note: “The Society for Experimental Mechanics, originally called The Society for Experimental Stress Analysis,
was founded in 1943 as a nonprofit scientific and educational organization …” (Wikipedia)

Miscellaneous

Fatigue of Metals .................................................................................. P.G. Forrest

Fatigue in Aircraft Structure .................................................................. A.M. Freudenthal
The Fatigue of Metals and Structures .................................................. Gordon Grover & Jackson
Metallic Fatigue with Particular Reference to Significance of Certain Standard Aircraft Fabrication and
Finishing Process ................................................................................. W.J. Harris
Designing by Photoelasticity ................................................................. R.B. Heywood
Designing Against Fatigue of Metals .................................................... R.B. Heywood
Stress Concentration Design Factors ................................................... R.E. Peterson
Full-Scale Fatigue Testing of Aircraft Structures .................................. R.J. Plantema & Schijve (Editors)
Metal Fatigue ........................................................................................ George Sines and J.L. Waisman
Fatigue Testing and Analysis of Results .............................................. W. Weibull

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