Investigation and improvement of composite T-joints with metallic arrow-pin reinforcement

Abstract

Aiming at an increase in failure resistance and damage tolerance of composite T-joints, a novel reinforcement technique in through-thickness direction using metallic arrow-pins has been proposed by the authors in previous studies. In a recent investigation, different options for further improvement of the T-pull performance have been assessed. These include optimized arrow-pin confi gurations, fi ller and ply materials and thermoplastic interleaf layers. T-specimens have been manufactured and tested under quasi-static and high-rate dynamic loading conditions to quantify the infl uence of these measures. Additionally, FE models have been developed in LS-Dyna to predict the performance numerically. Model validation was conducted step by step using material coupon test data, dedicated single-pin pull-out tests and T-pull tests.