Investigation of Design Parameters in Tensile Loads of the Diamond Joints in Composite Structures with a Finite Element Approach

Abstract

Adhesively bonded joining in composite structures is carried out using mechanical or adhesive techniques with commonly single or double lap. In laminated structure elements joined in this way, damage generally occurs at the upper layer. That is loading capacity goes down due to the fact that the axial width goes up. In this paper, mechanical joints with joint lock in the shape of diamond are offered to replace adhesively bonded butt joints. E-glass/vinyl ester composite laminates was used as the plate material in the system, the diamond material in the middle was composite, aluminum and steel and Loctite Hysol 9464 was used as the adhesive material. Finite element models were performed in different values of the ratio of the end height of diamond to the height of the specimen (c/height), the ratio of the upper height of diamond to the end height of diamond (a/c) and the ratio of the half-length of diamond to the height of specimen (b/height). Using these dimension values, the effects of the joint geometry parameters are evaluated. Diamond joints model was analyzed by using finite elements method and obtained stresses values. These stresses values were examined and the appropriate design parameters for the diamond lock were decided. Before damage occurs in a composite structure, damage to the diamond lock is seen, and with this important observation, the life of composite structures can be extended by repairing the diamond lock.

Keywords

• Diamond joint
• Composite
• Tensile load
• Joint types
• Finite element analysis

References

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3. Ascione, F. (2009). Mechanical behaviour of FRP adhesive joints: a theoretical model. Composites: Part B, 40, 116-124.