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Effects of moisture and temperature on the behaviour of composite T‐joints made of carbon fibre composite (CFC) materials are investigated. T‐joints may be exposed to moisture and temperature during their service life. Under such circumstances moisture and temperature diffuse into T‐joints. As a consequence, the stiffness and strength properties of the laminates are degraded. Moreover, since the laminae in the laminate cannot deform freely, residual stresses are introduced. The analysis is carried out by the finite element method using a modified thick shell element that takes into account the hygrothermal effects. The analysis also accounts for the lamina material properties at elevated moisture concentration and temperature. Deflections are presented in the form of contours, and maximum stresses developed in the Redux layer are presented in tabular forms. Two stacking sequences with clamped boundary conditions are considered for each variation in moisture and temperature

This paper deals with the experimental investigation and non‐linear finite element analysis of composite wing T‐joints in hygrothermal environments. This study is concerned with T‐joints subjected to tension (pull‐out) force and their behaviour up to ultimate failure under bone dry and hygrothermal environments. The behaviour of such joints is complex due to the geometry of the joint configuration and laminated construction. T‐joints are also susceptible when exposed to moisture and temperature environments. As a consequence, the stiffness and strength properties of laminates because degraded. A three‐dimensional 20‐noded multidirectional composite element is developed using three‐dimensional super element concept to analyse both unstitched and stitched T‐joints. All the stress components are computed and the failure loads are evaluated using different failure criteria to get better insight into the behaviour of laminated composite wing T‐joints.