Optimised vascular systems for the in-situ repair of composite T-joints

An optimised vascular network for the in-situ repair of complex composite structures has been presented. Vascular networks can be incorporated into a structure, such that during a damage event they become ruptured and provide access to the damage site for a liquid repair agent. The ability to access and repair damage in-situ is intended to mitigate the need for traditional invasive repair strategies. In this paper a number of novel vascular configurations were examined. Topology optimisation (TOPT) was carried out using 2D thermo-mechanical finite element analysis (FEA) and compared to conventional circular vasculature. Significant increases in vascule volume and surface area were achieved, whilst simultaneously decreasing stress concentrations observed in circular configurations.