Composite components having T or L-joints and methods for forming same

A composite component defining a second direction and a first direction, the composite component comprising:

• a first laminate portion having a length extending along the first direction;
• a second laminate portion having a length extending along the second direction, the second laminate portion comprised of a plurality of plies, the plurality of plies including a retaining ply that has a retaining portion that is detached from the other plies of the plurality of plies;
• and
• a noodle positioned at a joint interface between the first laminate portion and the second laminate portion, the noodle having a first surface that is angled with respect to the second direction, a second surface that is angled with respect to the second direction, and a butt surface attached to the first laminate portion;
• wherein at least one ply of the plurality of plies of the second laminate portion terminates and is attached to the noodle along the first surface and the retaining portion of the retaining ply is attached to the second surface of the noodle and extends to and terminates at an intersection between the second angled surface and the butt surface.

A composite component defining a first direction and a second direction, the composite component comprising:

• a first laminate portion having a length extending along the first direction;
• a second laminate portion having a length extending along the second direction, the second laminate portion having a plurality of plies;
• a first noodle positioned at a joint interface between the first laminate portion and the second laminate portion, the first noodle having:
• a butt surface extending along the first direction, the first laminate portion of the composite component being attached to the butt surface of the first noodle;
• a first surface angled with respect to the second direction, wherein at least two plies of the plurality of plies of the second laminate portion terminate and are attached to the first noodle along the first surface, wherein the at least two plies of the plurality of plies of the second laminate portion that terminate and are attached to the first noodle along the first surface have successively different lengths such that the at least two plies of the plurality of plies terminate and attach to the first surface of the first noodle in a staggered arrangement;
• and
• a second noodle positioned at the joint interface between the first laminate portion and the second laminate portion, the second noodle having:
• a butt surface extending along the first direction, the first laminate portion of the composite component being attached to the butt surface of the second noodle;
• a first surface angled with respect to the second direction, wherein at least two plies of the plurality of plies of the second laminate portion terminate and are attached to the second noodle along the first surface, wherein the at least two plies of the plurality of plies of the second laminate portion that terminate and are attached to the second noodle along the first surface have successively different lengths such that the at least two plies of the plurality of plies terminate and attach to the first surface of the second noodle in a staggered arrangement.