Multi-scale analysis of ultimate bearing capacity in composite hull joints: failure mechanism and numerical simulation

Progressive failure analysis method is the main method to analyse the ultimate bearing capacity and failure mode of composite structures. Multi-scale method can effectively reduce the dependence of damage mode and stiffness degradation analysis on material parameters. Based on the multi-scale method, from micro-scale to mesoscale and then to macro-scale, the equivalent modulus and equivalent strength of fibre bundles, single-layer laminates and multi-directional laminates were predicted respectively, and the prediction method of ultimate bearing capacity of large-scale composite structures from material level to structure level was constructed. The mechanical properties of standard composite materials and the ultimate bearing capacity of full-scale composite joints were tested respectively, and the ultimate bearing capacity and failure mode of L-joints were predicted by numerical method. The results show that the numerical simulation method based on multi-scale can accurately predict the ultimate bearing capacity and failure mode of large-scale joints of the hull.