Experimental Failure Mode Determination of GRP/PVC-Foam Sandwich T-Joints

Abstract

Application of GRP/PVC-Foam sandwich structures on naval ships strongly depends on the mechanical strength and collapse behaviour of the joints of the structure. Quasi-static and dynamic experiments were executed to determine the failure modes and failure progression of T-joints. The results were used to determine the focus of the material tests, and to determine the main properties of failure models that were developed.