Integrated Framework for Manufacturing, Design, and Monitoring of Composite-Bonded Joints: An Overview of the Results of the IDEA Project (MOST)

The IDEA project, developed in the frame of MOST—National Centre for Sustainable Mobility—addressed the growing need for reliable bonded joints in fibre-reinforced polymer composite structures used in transportation. Purely bonded joints are preferred for their lightweight and cost-efficient properties, but contamination and defect detection issues often make them unreliable. To solve this, the project developed innovative surface treatments, a methodology for the safe, optimized design of bonded joints, and structural health monitoring solutions, viable for real-time assessment. These advancements aim to increase the reliability and safety of bonded connections, helping industries adopt lighter, purely bonded joints over heavier, hybrid bonded/bolted options.