The onsert: A new joining technology for sandwich structures

The onsert is a joining element to achieve load introduction into lightweight structures typical for the transportation sectors. The onsert is simply bonded to the surface of the otherwise unharmed substrate. Thus, and in contrast to other joining technologies such as inserting, riveting, or bolting, the onsert technology avoids weakening of the structure. Previous work validates the predictions of the shape optimization procedure to achieve maximum static strength and has investigated the influence of various failure criteria to predict bond failure on the resulting onsert designs. The present study aims at a better understanding of the observed effects that, as the onsert shapes advance towards the optimum design, the predicted strength values gain accuracy and the standard deviations of strength testing data become smaller.