Abstract: A combination of experiment and numerical simulation was used to study the out-of-plane tensile failure mechanism of the composite-metal connection structure, and the influence of different sizes of aluminum alloy lower block on the bearing capacity and failure mechanism was explored. The study found that increasing the contact area between the aluminum alloy lower block and the composite laminate can improve the bearing capacity. Aluminum alloy lower block without chamfering can significantly shear the laminate, causing the laminate to delaminate and leading to premature failure. The addition of chamfers to the aluminum alloy lower block avoids delamination of the laminate and increases the bearing capacity. Based on the constitutive equation, modified three-dimensional Hashin criterion and stiffness degradation method, a progressive damage model of the composite-metal connection structure was established. The predicted failure load and failure mode of the structure are obtained, which are consistent with the test results.

Key words: composite, metal connection structure, out-of-plane loading, finite element analysis, failure mechanism