In this paper, experiments and finite element simulation were used to investigate the influence of geometric parameters on failure response of bolted single-lap composite joint. Specimens used for testing material stiffness, strength and failure of bolted single-lap composite joints were made by vacuum assisted resin injection (VARI). Two kinds of progressive failure models developed in ABAQUS/Standard and Explicit were used to simulate failure of joints. User subroutines USDFLD and VUMAT were used in these two models, respectively. Two finite element models showed an excellent agreement with experimental results. The results of the numerical analysis were presented with a focus on providing a more detailed insight into the progressive failure process, and the influence of the geometric parameter on failure of bolted composite single-lap joint. Failure model developed in ABAQUS/Explicit was found to be robust, accurate and highly efficient.