Bending characteristics of partially reinforced aluminum/CFRP hybrid hat-section beam structures with an adhesively bonded joint: An experimental, numerical, and analytical study

A significant feature about hybrid structures is the strengthening of critical areas in order to increase the load capacity of the beams. This research evaluates the energy absorption capability and bending collapse behavior of an aluminum hat-section with adhesively bonded of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) as a partial reinforcement (PR) hybrid beam. The aluminum layers and processed CFRP laminates were bonded with adhesive joints to produce the beams with varied layups for hybrid beams. The specimens showed a range of bending collapses, and the hybrid specimens' peak load and load drop differed depending on failure mechanism. The experimental results reveal that the amount of SEA of the hybrid beam specimens was higher compared with that of the aluminum beam, with Al/CFRP [0/90](S) PR hybrid beam exhibiting an 85.9% improvement in SEA value. Subsequently, FE models of aluminum and hybrid beams were developed for bending collapse analysis, and the finite element results were consistent with the experimental specimens' validation. In addition, the consequences of progressive damage failure in the interface effect and transverse matrix damage in various layups were investigated. Eventually, the Kecman model is used to perform analytical modeling of hybrid and aluminum beams in order to examine the impact of CFRP partial reinforcing components based on various bending moment hinge lines. Highlight Bending characteristics of adhesively bonded partially reinforced Al/CFRP beam Experimental and numerical investigation on the beams under three-point bending Analytical study for the prediction of energy absorption characteristics A good agreement between numerical, theoretical and experimental results