Optimization of fibre orientation for composite reinforcement of circular hollow section KT-joints

Iqbal, Mohsin and Karuppanan, Saravanan and Perumal, Veeradasan and Ovinis, Mark and Iqbal, Muhammad and Rasul, Adnan (2024) Optimization of fibre orientation for composite reinforcement of circular hollow section KT-joints. International Journal of Structural Integrity. ISSN 1757-9864

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Abstract

Purpose
Composite materials are effective alternatives for rehabilitating critical members of offshore platforms, bridges, and other structures. The structural response of composite reinforcement greatly depends on the orientation of fibres in the composite material. Joints are the most critical part of tubular structures. Various existing studies have identified optimal reinforcement orientations for a single load component, but none has addressed the combined load case, even though most practical loads are multiplanar.

Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the optimal orientation of composite reinforcement for reducing stress concentration factors (SCF) of tubular KT-joints. The joint reinforcement was modelled and simulated using ANSYS. A parametric study was carried out to determine the effect of the orientations of reinforcement in the interface region on SCF at every 15° offset along the weld toe using linear extrapolation of principal stresses. The impact of orientation for uniplanar and multiplanar loads was investigated, and a general result about optimum orientation was inferred.

Findings
It was found that the maximum decrease of SCF is achieved by orienting the fibres of composite reinforcement along the maximum SCF. Notably, the optimal direction for any load configuration was consistently orthogonal to the weld toe of the chord-brace interface. As such, unidirectional composites wrapped around the brace axis, covering both sides of the brace-chord interface, are most effective for SCF reduction.

Originality/value
The findings of this study are crucial for adequate reinforcement of tubular joints using composites, offering a broader and universally applicable optimum orienta

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: 10.1108/IJSI-04-2024-0054
Dates:
Date
Event
1 May 2024
Accepted
22 May 2024
Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords: tubular joints, FRP reinforcement, optimal orientation, fatigue life enhancement, stress concentration factor
Subjects: CAH10 - engineering and technology > CAH10-01 - engineering > CAH10-01-02 - mechanical engineering
Divisions: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > College of Engineering
Depositing User: Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited: 02 Jul 2024 14:05
Last Modified: 02 Jul 2024 14:05
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15630

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