Mechanical behavior of the CFRP lattice core sandwich bolted splice joints

Composite lattice core sandwich structure is a novel type of effective load bearing structure. In this paper, one kind of bolted splice joint between two CFRP lattice core sandwich panels is proposed. The mechanical behavior of this joint structure is investigated through four-point bending. The main deformation pattern and failure mode of the lattice core sandwich bolted splice joint structure are demonstrated by both experimental test and FE simulation. The failure mode includes the successive events, namely yield of the lower metal plate and then debonding between the lattice core and sheets. A simplified theoretical model is also proposed for this joint which is capable of calculating the load–displacement curve before yield of the lower metal plate. By monitoring the stress in the lower metal plate not to exceed the yield strength, the present model can give a simple engineering design for this kind of joint structure.