Experimental and Numerical Studies on the Failure Mechanism of the Composite Scarf Joints with Bonding Flaws

Bonded composite scarf joints with bonding flaws were tested to study their tensile behaviors. Based on the failure modes obtained by various observation methods, an improved numerical methodology with appropriate model width was developed, considering the marginal low stiffness regions in ± 45° plies. The results show that the modelling approach provides accurate predictions on the strength, stiffness, and the failure modes considering variations in scarf angle, flaw size, and flaw location. Marginal low stiffness regions in ± 45° plies influence the stress distributions in the adhesive layer and the failure mode. Adhesive layer failure is the main cause of the final fracture of the pristine and the defective scarf joints, and damages within composite adherend especially interlaminar delamination, may accelerate the growth of the bondline stress at an early stage. The traditional damage tolerance design approach for bonded composite joints needs to be improved to avoid confusing and adventurous results.