Strength analysis of butt and strap joints under tension and bending

Abstract

The strength analysis of a butt and strap composite pipe joint is provided. This commercial joint consists of mating two sections of pipe and overwrapping them with additional composite laminae. The pipe analyzed in this study consists of four plies: resin rich liner, one ply of chopped strand mat, and two plies of filament wound glass fibers at 54 . Each lamina is a combination of vinyl ester resin and E-glass fibers. The overlays analyzed in this study are two and six plies of chopped strand mat. Mathematical expressions of the strength under tension and bending are derived using mechanics of materials along with suitable failure criterion. These expressions are in terms of stiffness and strength of each ply, and the geometry of the joint. Different failure modes are discussed and justified in the analytical model.