Patent ID: 8491740

Claim:
A method of fabricating a structural part comprising a tubular portion ( 30 ) from which there projects a structural element made of composite material, the method comprising the steps of: shaping a preform ( 49 ; 59 ; 69 ; 79 ; 99 ) comprising a stack of a plurality of superposed plies such that over at least a fraction of the preform that is to form a structural portion, the plies are secured to one another, and over at least another fraction of the preform that is to form a portion for connecting to the tube, the plies are separable so as to form two facing sheets ( 44 ; 54 ; 64 ; 68 ; 74 ; 94 ); inserting a tube ( 30 ) between the sheets of the connection portion so that the sheets surround the tube at least in part; and bonding the tube to the preform such that the tube forms the tubular portion and the preform forms the structural element of the structural part; wherein the preform comprises two blanks cut out from a pad of superposed plies, the blanks being stitched together in at least one fraction to form the structural portion, and being left free in at least one other fraction to form the portion for connection to the tube, whereby in said portion each blank forms one of the sheets ( 44 ; 54 ; 64 ; 68 ; 94 ).