Effect of T-Joint Geometry on the Performance of a GRP/PVC Sandwich System Subjected to Tension

Mechanical performances of six sandwich type T-joints, used in marine applications subjected to tensile load, have been investigated both numerically and experimentally in this study. T-joints, each with different geometries, have been manufactured, Type A: continuous core in joint with right angle; Type B: core removed at joint; Type C: core with wedge fillet; Type D: core with 25 mm radius fillet; Type E: core with 70 m radius fillet and Type F: DK-CND1 of Toftegaard and Lystrup with overlaminate. The skin was a 5 mm thick orthophitalic polyester/glass laminated composite and the core was PVC (Divinycell H80). Due to absolute values of the maximum strain values of the T-joints, Type E shows promising performance under tension while Type B is the weakest. It is not recommended to use Type B in the structures subjected to tension. Grading from the strongest to the weakest of T-joints is Type C, D, A and F. Results of the numerical modelling and tests also affirm the utility of the 2D FE models for further studies of the strain distribution in such sandwich T-joints.