In this paper, the effect of bolt torque tightening has been investigated
on the fatigue behavior of GLARE in double shear lap configuration. To
do so, experimental fatigue tests were conducted using GLARE3-5/4-0.4
specimens with applied torques of 0 (finger tightened), 2 and 4 Nm at
different cyclic longitudinal load ranges to achieve the stress-life (S-N)
curves. The results revealed that applying and increasing the clamping
force enhances the fatigue life of the GLARE specimens. Furthermore,
comparison of fatigue test results of GLARE and available monolithic
aluminum alloy 2024-T3 plates indicated when the applied load range is
low, the effect of clamping force is more noticeable in GLARE specimens
due to longer fatigue crack growth life of GLARE. Also, the occurrence of
fretting fatigue didn’t reduce the fatigue life of GLARE specimens
considerably in contrary to aluminum sheets because of the laminated
structure of GLARE. The obtained results can provide insights in
designing bolted GLARE joints with superior fatigue in-service
performance.