In this article, the composite π-joint is investigated under bending loads. The ＂L＂ preform is the critical component regard- ing composite π-joint failure. The study is presented in the failure detection of a carbon fiber composite π-joint structure under bending loads using fiber Bragg grating （FBG） sensor. Firstly, based on the general f＇mite element method （FEM） software, the 3-D finite element （FE） model of composite π-joint is established, and the failure process and every lamina failure load of composite π-joint are investigated by maximum stress criteria. Then, strain distributions along the length of FBG are extracted, and the reflection spectra of FBG are calculated according to the strain distribution. Finally, to verify the numerical results, a test scheme is performed and the experimental spectra of FBG are recorded. The experimental results indicate that the failure sequence and the corresponding critical loads of failure are consistent with the numerical predictions, and the computational error of failure load is less than 6.4%. Furthermore, it also verifies the feasibility of the damage detection system.
