Adhesively bonded joints between FRP sandwich and metal: Different concepts and their strength behaviour

This report presents several joint elements developed for joining large FRP sandwich panels to ships. Metal profiles are adhesively bonded to the panels in the prefabrication phase of the sandwich. This makes it possible to weld the FRP part directly to the metal structure in the shipyard. Three different joint concepts were optimised and analysed taking into account the potential applications and production methods. Prototype joints of the concepts were manufactured, and the static and fatigue strength of the joints was tested under local loading conditions similar to those occurring in laterally loaded panels. The test program of the joint concepts included welding tests, static strength tests (at room temperature, raised temperature and humidity, high temperature and after a weathering cycle), fatigue strength tests (at room temperature and after a weathering cycle), creep tests (at room temperature and raised temperature and humidity). One joint concept was compared with a similar bolted joint alternative, which is the current practice in shipbuilding.