Validation of an analytical model describing the heat flux distribution in load-bearing CFRP single-lap joints

Abstract

Usually, in phase 0/A the structural and thermal engineering are developed in parallel. But especially when developing a structure made from fibre reinforced plastics both subsystems influence each other because of the materials orthotropic nature. In order to allow a partially coupled analysis, the paper introduces into a semi-analytic formula which connects the structural and thermal analysis of load-bearing single-lap joints and is based on a shear-stress analogue description of the outof-plane heat flux distribution in the adhesive layer. Further it is shown how from this a single-lap joint's thermal resistance could be derived. For validation, a formerly presented thermal vacuum test with single-lap joint specimens is repeated with improved setup and compared to an updated numerical model.