Ultimate strength analysis of composite typical joints for ship structures

Abstract In order to solve the damage failure problem of composite L-joints for ship structures, the failures and ultimate strength of the composite L-joints for ship structures are researched by using the progressive damage analysis method and experimental method. A number of studies have been carried out on the structural failure process and failure strength of the joints under compressive loading. The experimental and numerical results show the axial displacement of sandwich plates under axial compressive loading increases slowly before reaching the limit, but the bearing capacity of the structure decreases rapidly once the load exceeds the ultimate load, with the slow increment of axial displacement until the sandwich plate cracks. The major failure modes of sandwich L-joints are the delamination between core and skin, fiber failure, base shear failure and PVC failure. There is a good agreement between the numerical results and the test results, which offers a guide in designing the structure of sandwich composite joint.