Abstract: The fatigue dangerous location of the skin circumferential docking structure was determined by finite element simulation. The theoretical detailed fatigue rating (DFR) of the 2024-T3 aluminum alloy docking structure was calculated. Fatigue tests were conducted on the 2E12-T3 aluminum alloy skin circumferential docking structure, and the fatigue fracture location and fracture morphology were analyzed. The test DFR of the docking structure was calculated, and compared with the theoretical DFR of the 2024-T3 aluminum alloy docking structure. The results show that the fatigue failure occurred at nail holes at the end of the skin circumferential docking structure samples, which was consistent with the structure weak location determined by the finite element analysis. The cracks initiated at the skin hole wall perpendicular to the loading direction at the skin and the strip joint surface. Fatigue bands and a few dimples existed in the crack propagation zone, and dimples and cavities in the instantaneous zone. The DFR of the 2E12-T3 aluminum alloy docking structure was about 13.9% higher than that of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy docking structure.