Metallic end-bonded inserts for pultruded fibre-reinforced plastic rod

The development of new structural applications for the unidirectional pultruded glass-fiber and carbon-fiber reinforced plastic rod, needs the transmission of a considerable tension load to the composite rod, without local damage at the end of the rod. For this purposes we have developed a new kind of metallic end bonded insert, with easy assemblage to the composite rod. These minimises stress concentrations, allowing a good transfer of tensions loads without premature failure of the rod. The methodology behind the development of these metallic inserts is explained with experimental and numerical data verifying the improvements.