Local reinforcement of unidirectional BFRP bolted joints using co-curing of metal foils layer-by-layer

Abstract The reinforced design of composite bolt connections has been a research hotspot in the field of composite structural mechanics because they are the force transfer hub of composite component connections and the weak link in the entire structure, which determines the bearing capacity of the entire structure. In order to provide local reinforcement, metal foil is layered into the area close to the bolt hole in this paper’s experimental testing of the unidirectional basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) composite bolted connection. The findings demonstrate that this reinforced design raises the bolt hole bearing and increases the bearing capacity by 232% while also altering the unreinforced joint’s mode of failure. By layering the metal foil into the bolt hole area, it is evident that the reinforced design of the composite bolt connection is effective.