Publication

Abstract : Composite materials are widely used in the aircraft industry. The spars and ribs in aircraft wings attached to the skin form a T-joint. The objective of this project is to analyse the differences in the structural properties of composite T-joints with and without cut-outs, and thus optimize a cut-out configuration that gives the best structural properties. A composite T-joint was modelled with standard dimensions using T-300/Carbon epoxy Prepreg as the material. The model was subjected to pulling, shear and bending loads. Finite element analysis and Tsai-Hill failure analysis were done on the model. Maintaining a constant area, different cut-out configurations were modelled on the T-joint and analysed just as the model without cut-out. The results obtained for all the models were tabulated, and the structural integrity of the models was compared using the Tsai-Hill failure criteria. The best cut-out configuration was identified based on the results obtained. © Research India Publications.