Comparison of different bushing applications in composite structures of the aerospace industry

Abstract In this study, four different bushing applications of carbon-epoxy pre-preg laminated composite plates were investigated experimentally and theoretically. The bushings in composite specimens on which the applications were conducted were loaded perpendicular to their plane, and the strength of the assembly was investigated in this way. These applications were compared by using the results of the experiments. The methodology of bushing application was determined for the most durable assembly. The generated finite element model for different bushing assemblies provided contribution for designing process in finite element analysis. While MSC/PATRAN was used for the finite element model generation, MSC/NASTRAN was applied for the finite element analysis.