Joints for composite laminated panels and beams
A joint for use with a composite laminated component is disclosed herein. The joint includes a component including a partial U-shaped trapezoidal cavity and a triangular component. The partial trapezoidal component includes a base extending in a first direction, a first side extending away from the base at a first angle from the first direction, a second side extending away from the base at a second angle from the first direction and toward the first side, and an opening defined by the first side and the second side. The triangular component is coupled to the base and extending orthogonally away from the base in a second direction and toward the opening.
1 . A system of interlocked components, comprising:
a composite component including a first portion, a second portion, and a finite-length edge split between the first portion and the second portion; and
a joint including:
a component including a partial U-shaped trapezoidal cavity, including:
a base extending in a first direction;
a first side extending away from the base at a first angle from the first direction;
a second side extending away from the base at a second angle from the first direction and toward the first side; and
an opening defined by the first side and the second side and configured to receive the composite component; and
a triangular component integral with the base and extending orthogonally away from the base in a second direction toward the opening, the triangular component configured to insert into the split.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a first internal surface of the first side is disposed adjacent to and physically contacting an external surface of the first portion and a second internal surface of the second side is disposed adjacent to and physically contacting an external surface of the second portion.
3 . The system of claim 1 ,
wherein the first side includes:
a first top surface facing away from the base; and
a first internal side surface facing toward the second side, the first internal side surface forming a first corner with the first top surface, wherein the first corner is rounded; and
wherein the second side includes:
a second top surface facing away from the base; and
a second internal side surface facing toward the first side, the second internal side surface forming a second corner with the second top surface, wherein the second corner is rounded.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a panel including a third surface that is coupled to the base.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the panel is coupled to the base using an adhesive.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the base further includes a flange extending from the base in the first direction, the flange being coupled to the panel by a fastener.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the composite component further comprises:
a first plurality of full-length plies forming the first portion;
a second plurality of full-length plies forming the second portion; and
a shorter ply disposed between the first plurality of full-length plies and the second plurality of full-length plies and forming the finite-length edge split.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the composite component further includes a third portion and a second split disposed between the second portion and the third portion, wherein the joint further includes a second triangular component coupled to the base and extending orthogonally away from the base in the second direction and toward the opening, the second triangular component configured to insert into the second split.