Hygrothermal analysis of composite wing T‐joints Available to Purchase

Effects of moisture and temperature on the behaviour of composite T‐joints made of carbon fibre composite (CFC) materials are investigated. T‐joints may be exposed to moisture and temperature during their service life. Under such circumstances moisture and temperature diffuse into T‐joints. As a consequence, the stiffness and strength properties of the laminates are degraded. Moreover, since the laminae in the laminate cannot deform freely, residual stresses are introduced. The analysis is carried out by the finite element method using a modified thick shell element that takes into account the hygrothermal effects. The analysis also accounts for the lamina material properties at elevated moisture concentration and temperature. Deflections are presented in the form of contours, and maximum stresses developed in the Redux layer are presented in tabular forms. Two stacking sequences with clamped boundary conditions are considered for each variation in moisture and temperature