A Study on the Strength Characteristics and Failure Detection of Single-lap Joints with I-fiber Stitching Method

Abstract

When a complex load such as torsion, low-speed impact, or fatigue load is applied, the properties in the thickness direction are weakened through microcracks inside the material due to the nature of the laminated composite material, and delamination occurs. To prevent the interlaminar delamination, various three-dimensional reinforcement methods such as Z-pinning and stitching, and structural health monitoring techniques that detect the microcrack of structures in real time have been continuously studied. In this paper, the single-lap joints with I-fiber stitching process were manufactured by a co-curing method and their strengths and failure detection capability were evaluated. AE and electric resistance method were used for detection of crack and failure signal and electric circuit for signal analysis was manufactured, and failure signal was analyzed during the tensile test of a single-lap joint. From the experiment, the strength of the single lap joint reinforced by I-fiber stitching process was improved by about 44.6% compared to the co-cured single lap joint without reinforcement. In addition, as the single-lap joint reinforced by I fiber stitching process can detect failure in both the electrical resistance method and the AE method, it has been proven to be an effective structure for failure monitoring as well as strength improvement.