A Study on the Fracture Behavior of Composite Laminated T-Joints Using AE

Quasi-static tests such as monotonic tension and loading/unloading tension were performed to investigate the bond characteristics and the failure processes for the T-joint specimens made from fiber/epoxy composite material. Two types of specimens, each consists of two components, e. g. skin and frame. were manufactured by co-curing and secondary bonding. During the monotonic tension test, AE instrument was used to predict AE signal at the initial and middle stage of the damage propagation. The damage initiation and progression were monitored optically using m (Charge Coupled Device) camera. And the internal crack front profile was examined using ultrasonic C-scan. The results indicate that the loads representing the abrupt increase of the AE signal are within the error range of 5 percent comparing to the loads shown in the load-time curve. Also it is shown that the initiation of crack occurred in the noodle region for both co cured and secondarily bonded specimen. The final failure occurred in the noodle region for the co-cured specimen. but at the skin/frame termination point for the secondarily bonded specimen. Based on the results, it was found that two kinds of specimen show different failure modes depending on the manufacturing methods