In-plane and out-of-plane bending responses of aluminum mortise-tenon joints in lightweight electric vehicle inspired by timber structures

This study aims to identify the bending characteristics of the mortise-tenon joint and reinforced mortise-tenon joint inspired by the traditional timber structures. Experimental investigation was carried out into the mortise-tenon joints through the in-plane and out-of-plane bending tests in comparison with the conventionally extruded aluminum beam. Failure processes of the mortise-tenon joint and reinforced joint were similar, the vicinity of the mortise-tenon joint provided the main loading resistance. While the designed mortise-tenon joint showed relatively lower load bearing capabilities compared with the aluminum beam under in-plane bending, the reinforced stiffeners could help improve the peak load. The reinforced joint showed the highest load bearing and energy absorption capability under both the in-plane and out-of-plane bending. The energy absorption (EA) and specific energy absorption (SEA) of mortise-tenon joint and reinforced joint under the in-plane bending were lower than those of the aluminum beam, whilst the EA and SEA of mortise-tenon joints under the out-of-plane bending were higher than those of the aluminum beam. By comparison, for both the mortise-tenon joint and reinforced joint, load bearing and energy absorption capabilities under out-of-plane bending were higher than those under the in-plane bending. This study provided a novel joined structure for mechanical loading.