ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a detailed understanding of the unique requirements for the mechanical fastening of composite structures and how to design adhesively bonded joints to allow full load transfer, which will be related to the repair of composite structures. The design and stress analysis of composite structural joints will allow participants to develop an understanding of preliminary design sizing and joint efficiency of composite repair joints. In joining processes and configurations for composite materials, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages. In joint design and for the repair of composite structures, the material properties of the parent structure and the repair patch, plus the adhesive and fasteners are required. The adhesive properties provided later are based on the idealised shear stress/strain curve, which gives the adhesive elastic/plastic behaviour. From a design analysis point-of-view, the joints provide a more accurate stress assessment than a scarf joint, but they are rather difficult to fabricate, particularly with hand sanding.
