This paper shows that a bio-inspired design methodology is an effective method to strengthen composite T-joints under bending loading. The ply angles in the laminate of a carbon/epoxy T-joint were tailored using an optimization program mimicking the evolutionary process of adaptive growth in which the wood micro fibril orientation in and around the tree branch-trunk joint is tailored to the prevailing bending loading condition. A single objective optimization program with four ply angle input variables was used to compute the optimal design of the ply stacking pattern which minimized the inter laminar tensile stress in composite T-joints where de lamination damage is initiated. FEA and experimental testing were performed to compare the structural properties of the bio-inspired T-joint against a base-line T-joint with a quasi-isotropic ply stacking pattern. The bio-inspired T-joint exhibited a higher bending failure initiation load (improved by 40%) and elastic strain energy capacity (increased by 75%) than the base-line T-joint.
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