Bi-axial response of interlocking composite joints

Abstract

Demand for composite materials has been increasing over time because of the engineering industry's continually expanding scope. Particularly, glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites are being used more and more in a variety of industries such as the construction, marine, automotive, and aerospace sectors due to their better performance and light weight characteristics. Additionally, fiber-reinforced polymer composites exhibit exceptional qualities such as high strength to weight ratio, great durability, stiffness, damping property, flexural strength, resistance to corrosion, wear, impact and fire.

Composite laminates are vulnerable to damage from a variety of loadings, including static loading, low energy impact loading during manufacturing, environmental conditions including moisture and temperature.

Although there are various sorts of repair methods that may be utilized to restore the damaged composites, adhesive bonding joint repair is one of the more popular methods. This method combines adhesives with many joint configurations, including butt joints, single-lap joints, double-lap joints, and scarf joints. Each form of repair joint does have its advantages and disadvantages.

The author of this study will be investigating a joint design arrangement that combines a scarf and a circular interlock. The GFRP specimens are to be bonded utilizing DP100 two-part adhesive and DP460 two-part adhesive. To determine the failure envelope, the bi-axial failure response of composite interlocking joints will be examined using an Arcan test jig under pure tensile and pure shear loading conditions.