Behaviour of composite wing T-joints in hygrothermal environments

This paper deals with the experimental investigation and non-linear finite element analysis of composite wing T-joints in hygrothermal environments. This study is concerned with T-joints subjected to tension (pull-out) force and their behaviour up to ultimate failure under bone dry and hygrothermal environments. The behaviour of such joints is complex due to the geometry of the joint configuration and laminated construction. T-joints are also susceptible when exposed to moisture and temperature environments. As a consequence, the stiffness and strength properties of laminates because degraded. A three-dimensional 20-noded multidirectional composite element is developed using three-dimensional super element concept to analyse both unstitched and stitched T-joints. All the stress components are computed and the failure loads are evaluated using different failure criteria to get better insight into the behaviour of laminated composite wing T-joints.