High-performance bio-inspired composite T-joints

Akrami, R., Fotouhi, S. , Fotouhi, M. , Bodaghi, M., Clamp, J. and Bolouri, A. (2019) High-performance bio-inspired composite T-joints. Composites Science and Technology, 184, 107840. (doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.107840)

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel bio-inspired design strategy based on the optimised topology of bird bone's joint to improve the strength-to-weight ratio and damage tolerance of composite T-joints. Better structuring the constituents' materials near the sharp bends results in re-distribution of stress over a larger area and reduces the stress concentration. This is done by an integrally formed support structure that is spaced apart from the main body of the T-joint in the vicinity of the bend using a Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) foam. The support structure acts as a buttress across the bend and improves the performance of the T-joint. The T-joints are fabricated using wet layup process, from 2/2 twill TC35-carbon fibre fabric/SR5550 epoxy resin, and are subjected to quasi-static and fatigue bending, and quasi-static tensile pull-out tests. The quasi-static results reveal that the bio-inspired T-joint design has huge improvements compared to a conventional T-joint in the elastic stiffness (over 60%), peak load (over 40%) and absorbed mechanical energy (over 130%). There is only 3% weight increase in the bio-inspired T-joint compared to the conventional one. The fatigue results show a significant improvement for the bio-inspired design proving the efficiency of the novel bio-inspired design for both quasi-static and cyclic loadings.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fotouhi, Dr Sakineh and Fotouhi, Dr Mohammad
• Authors: Akrami, R., Fotouhi, S., Fotouhi, M., Bodaghi, M., Clamp, J., and Bolouri, A.
• Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General); T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General); T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Composites Science and Technology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0266-3538
• ISSN (Online): 1879-1050
• Published Online: 28 September 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Composites Science and Technology 184: 107840
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy