A design guide was developed for bolted composite structural joints. The guide includes general design guidelines for the various joint parameters, an analytical design methodology, a description of the analytical design tools, an illustration of the use of corresponding computer codes SASCJ and SAMCJ, and a listing of the computer codes. 

The proposed design procedure is purely analytical, ad enables the user to rapidly evaluate many different joint concepts for a selected application. When the bolted structure is fabricated using existing fully characterized materials, the design requires no complementary test results. Presented analytical design tools are currently restricted to primarily uniaxially loaded joints and fastener arrangements that are currently used in aircraft structures.

 Also, the bolted joint is assumed to be strength-critical. However, sample fatigue test results are presented to illustrate a durability check on the joint, assuming a simplified fatigue analysis and assuming that fatigue is induced by excessive hole elongation. Despite its current restrictions, this guide is the first government document that provides guidance and analytical tools for the design of bolted composite structures. Keywords Bolted joints, composite structures, design guidelines, analytical design tools, user instructions, samples, program listing.