Abstract
Two types of bolted lap joints, one with a viscoelastic layer and the other without the viscoelastic layer were chosen to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the joints with the mechanical properties of the bolts in the joints are considered as computational variables. The finite element method was used along with the modal testing to verify the PEM model. The results in the bolted lap joints reveal that the higher the Young's modulus for the bolts we use the higher the natural frequencies we obtain fur the joints. However, the natural frequency differences in the first and second mode are not substantial but become noticeable in the higher modes. Lower natural frequencies were obtained for the bolted lap joints with the viscoelastic layer when compared with those of the bolted lap joints without the viscoelastic layer. And the differences in the natural frequencies for the two types of joints are relatively small in the first and second mode whereas in the higher mode the differences become significant. The loss factors were observed to be significant especially in the second mode for the bolted lap joints with the viscoelastic layer.
