Experimental and numerical study of a composite-to-steel joint under bending and torsion loads

Abstract

A composite-to-steel joint under bending and torsional loads is experimentally studied to determine their strength and stiffness and to calibrate numerical models with respect to the experimental measurements. The steel component is a channel type of structure made of two plates that serve as external supports of an inserted sandwich plate made of composite materials. The attachment of the steel joint to the structure is supported by a bracket. The results include load–deflection and load–strain curves, critical locations and failure loads, with the maximum value of the pure bending and combined torsion-bending moments. The good agreement between the numerical results obtained by finite element method and the experimental ones demonstrate that this kind of numerical analysis can estimate appropriately the behaviour of the structure.

Effect of long-term moisture exposure on impact response of glass-reinforced vinylester

“…Many industries such as aerospace, ground transport, civil infrastructure and maritime have been using FRP composite materials in the recent years. GRPs (Glass Reinforced Polymers) which are a specific case of FRPs are increasingly being used in the maritime industry 1 because of their superior mechanical properties, which includes high-specific strength and stiffness, excellent fatigue performance, low mass, excellent durability and ability to be formed into complex shapes. For maritime applications, composites also offer improved corrosion resistance, and reduced magnetic signature.…”