A　continuum　damage　mechanics　model　for　composites,　considering　the　intralaminar　(fibre　and　matrix　failure)　and　interlaminar　failure,　was　proposed　to　predict　the　progressive　damage　behavior　of　bolted　joints.　Based　on　Tsai-Wu　strength　criterion,　a　new　failure-judgement　formula　was　developed　to　distinguish　the　intralaminar　and　interlaminar　failure.　An　exponent　material　degradation　model　was　introduced　to　simulate　the　damage　evolution　of　the　composite.　A　continuum　damage　mechanics　model　was　established　to　analyze　the　effect　of　0°　ply　ratio　and　bolt　diameter　on　the　bearing　characteristic　of　the　composite　bolted　joints.　The　predicted　results　exhibit　good　agreement　with　the　experimental　results.　These　results　show　that　high　0°　ply　ratio　induces　the　shear-out　failure　of　the　composite　bolted　joints,　decreasing　the　structural　bearing　capability.　Increasing　the　bolt　diameter　can　restrain　the　damage　of　the　composite　laminate　and　improve　the　bearing　strength　of　the　composite　bolted　joints.　©　2020,　Editorial　Office　of　Acta　Materiae　Compositae　Sinica.　All　right　reserved.