A composite grid structure for use in a composite laminate structure, the grid structure comprising: a plurality of ply layers, each one of the plurality of ply layers comprising a plurality of first elongate tapes oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second elongate tapes oriented in a second direction, the second direction being offset from the first direction by an angle of at least 25 degrees, wherein: each of the plurality of first elongate tapes in one of the plurality of ply layers has a first length extending between opposing ends of each of the plurality of first elongate tapes and a first midpoint intermediate the opposing ends; each of the plurality of second elongate tapes in one of the plurality of ply layers has a second length extending between opposing ends of each of the plurality of second elongate tapes and a second midpoint intermediate the opposing ends; the first length is the same as the second length; opposing ends of each one of the plurality of first elongate tapes are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the second midpoint of adjacently positioned ones of the plurality of second elongate tapes to define first joint locations; and opposing ends of each one of the plurality of second elongate tapes are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the first midpoint of adjacently positioned ones of the plurality of first elongate tapes, so as to define second joint locations in a staggered joint configuration. a plurality of ply layers, each one of the plurality of ply layers comprising a plurality of first elongate tapes oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second elongate tapes oriented in a second direction, the second direction being offset from the first direction by an angle of at least 25 degrees, wherein: each of the plurality of first elongate tapes in one of the plurality of ply layers has a first length extending between opposing ends of each of the plurality of first elongate tapes and a first midpoint intermediate the opposing ends; each of the plurality of second elongate tapes in one of the plurality of ply layers has a second length extending between opposing ends of each of the plurality of second elongate tapes and a second midpoint intermediate the opposing ends; the first length is the same as the second length; opposing ends of each one of the plurality of first elongate tapes are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the second midpoint of adjacently positioned ones of the plurality of second elongate tapes to define first joint locations; and opposing ends of each one of the plurality of second elongate tapes are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the first midpoint of adjacently positioned ones of the plurality of first elongate tapes, so as to define second joint locations in a staggered joint configuration. each of the plurality of first elongate tapes in one of the plurality of ply layers has a first length extending between opposing ends of each of the plurality of first elongate tapes and a first midpoint intermediate the opposing ends; each of the plurality of second elongate tapes in one of the plurality of ply layers has a second length extending between opposing ends of each of the plurality of second elongate tapes and a second midpoint intermediate the opposing ends; the first length is the same as the second length; opposing ends of each one of the plurality of first elongate tapes are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the second midpoint of adjacently positioned ones of the plurality of second elongate tapes to define first joint locations; and opposing ends of each one of the plurality of second elongate tapes are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the first midpoint of adjacently positioned ones of the plurality of first elongate tapes, so as to define second joint locations in a staggered joint configuration. <EOS>