Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mechanical behavior of a glass-fiber reinforced composite to steel joint for ships

  • Published:
Journal of Marine Science and Application Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The use of a glass-fiber reinforced composite in marine structures is becoming more common, particularly due to the potential weight savings. The mechanical response of the joint between a glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GRP) superstructure and a steel hull formed is examined and subsequently modified to improve performance through a combined program of modeling and testing. A finite-element model is developed to predict the response of the joint. The model takes into account the contact at the interface between different materials, progressive damage, large deformation theory, and a non-linear stress-strain relationship. To predict the progressive failure, the analysis combines Hashin failure criteria and maximum stress failure criteria. The results show stress response has a great influence on the strength and bearing of the joint. The Balsawood-steel interface is proved to be critical to the mechanical behavior of the joint. Good agreement between experimental results and numerical predictions is observed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams RD (1989). Strength predictions for lap joints, especially with composite adherends—A review. Journal of Adhesion, 30(1–4), 219–242. DOI: 10.1080/00218468908048207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adams RD, Atkins RW, Harris JA, Kinloch AJ (1986). Stress analysis and failure properties of carbon fibre reinforced plastic/steel double lap joints. Journal of Adhesion, 20(1), 29–53. DOI: 10.1080/00218468608073238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anyfantis K (2009). Adhesive bonding of dissimilar materials: Literature review. Shipbuilding Technology Laboratory, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece, Technical report No. STL-279-F-09.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd SW (2006). Strength and durability of steel to composite joints for marine application. PhD thesis, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, 46–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campilho RDSG (2009). Repair of composite and wood structures. PhD thesis, Engineering Faculty, Porto University, Porto, Portugal, 24–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campilho RDSG, Banea MD, Pinto AMG, da Silva LFM, de Lesus AMP (2011). Strength prediction of single- and double-lap joints by standard and extended finite element modelling. International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 31(5), 363–372. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijadhadh.2010.09.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao J, Grenesdt JL (2003). Test of a redesigned glass-fiber reinforced vinylester to steel joint for use between a naval GRP superstructure and a steel hull. Composite Structures, 60(4), 439–445. DOI: 10.1016/S0263-8223(03)00020-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao J, Grenesdt, JL (2004). Design and testing of joints for composite sandwich/steel hybrid ship hulls. Composites, Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 35(9), 1091–1105. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2004.02.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clifford SM, Manger CIC, Clyne TW (2002). Characterisation of a glass-fiber reinforced vinylester to steel joint for use between a naval GRP superstructure and a steel hull. Composite Structures, 57(1–4), 59–66. DOI: 10.1016/S0263-8223(02)00063-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart-Smith LJ (1986). Design of adhesively bonded joints. In: Matthews FL, (ed.). Joining Fibre Reinforced Plastics. Elsevier Applied Science, London, 271–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart-Smith LJ (2002). Adhesive bonding of composite structures—Progress to date and some remaining challenges. Journal of Composite Technology Research, 24(3), 133–153. DOI: 10.1520/CTR10566J

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayman B, Echtermeyer AT, McGeorge D (2001). Use of composites in naval ships. Warship 2001-Future Surface Warships, London, 12–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hentinen M, Hildebrand M, Visuri M (1997). Adhesively bonded joints between FRP sandwich and metal. VTT, Espoo, Finland, 8–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hildebrand M, Hentinen M (1998). Efficient solutions for joints between large FRP-sandwich and metal structures. Proceedings of the 19th SAMPE Europe International Conference, Paris, France, 417–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapadia A (2002). Weight and cost comparison of base design structure to a given steel structure. Materials Research Department, Roskilde, Denmark, Technical Report No.VT-2.3-C3-IP3.0.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim SJ, Hwang JS, Kim JH (1998). Progressive failure analysis of pin-loaded laminated composites using penalty finite element method. AIAA Journal, 36(1), 75–80. DOI: 10.2514/2.354

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Konstantions N (2012). Analysis and design of composite to metal adhesively bonded joints. PhD thesis, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 1–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lessard LB, Shokrieh MM (1995). Two-dimensional modeling of composite pinned-joint failure. Journal of Composite Material, 29(5), 671–697. DOI: 10.1177/002199839502900507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mouritz AP, Gellert E, Burchill P, Challis K (2001). Review of advanced composite structures for naval ships and submarines. Composite Structures, 53(1), 21–41. DOI: 10.1016/S0263-8223(00)00175-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith CS (1990). Design of marine structures in composite materials. Elsevier Applied Science, New York, USA, 32–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith CS (1991). Response of hybrid GRP/steel superstructures to blast loading—theory and experiment. Proceedings of International Conference on Advances in Marine Structures, Dunfermline, Scotland, 392–415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theotokoglou EE, Moan TJ (1996). Experimental and numerical study of composite tee-joints. Journal of Composite Material, 30(2), 190–209. DOI: 10.1177/002199839603000203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toftegaard H, Lystrup A (2005). Design and test of lightweight sandwich T-joint for naval ships. Composites, Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 36(8), 1055–1065. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2004.10.031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vandellos T, Huchette C, Carrère N (2013). Proposition of a framework for the development of a cohesive zone model adapted to Carbon-Fiber reinforced plastic laminated composites. Composite Structures, 105, 199–206. DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2013.05.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright PNH, Wu Y, Gibson AG (2000). Fibre reinforced composite-steel connections for transverse ship bulkheads. Plastics, Rubber and Composites, 29(10), 549–557. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/146580100101540761

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Shipbuilding Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, China

    Xiaowen Li, Ping Li, Zhuang Lin & Dongmei Yang

Authors
  1. Xiaowen Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ping Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhuang Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dongmei Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ping Li.

Additional information

Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 61004008), the Central Universities under Grant HEUCFR1001 and LBH-10138 Higher Sliding Mode Control for Underactuated Surface Ship.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, X., Li, P., Lin, Z. et al. Mechanical behavior of a glass-fiber reinforced composite to steel joint for ships. J. Marine. Sci. Appl. 14, 39–45 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-015-1296-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-015-1296-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation