Failure of composite T-joints in bending with through-the- Thickness reinforcement: Stitching vs Z-pinning

The stitched composite T-joints and Z-pinned ones subject to bending load were investigated in this paper. A simple theoretical model characterizing the failure process of through the thickness reinforcement (TTR) during mode I delamination was presented. The experimental results showed that the initial damage load and maximum load of stitched specimens are higher than that of Z-pinned ones, while the energy absorption of stitched specimens during delamination is lower than that of Z-pinned ones. The energy absorption values predicted by the present model meet the experiments reasonably well. High friction force at the interface between TTR tow and matrix, with a long pull-out displacement of the tow, helps to improve the delamination resistance.