Patent ID: 7198691

Claim:
A method for fabricating a structural member, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tubular member having a sidewall that defines a hollow interior portion; providing at least two support inserts formed from a precured composite material, the at least two support inserts being configured to fit within the hollow interior and contact the sidewall in at least two predetermined locations; providing at least one spacer member; positioning the at least two support members and the at least one spacer member within the hollow interior at a predetermined location, wherein the at least one spacer member is disposed between and abutting a pair of support inserts; bonding the at least two support inserts directly to the tubular member such that the at least two support inserts are operable for transmitting a load between predetermined locations by: introducing an epoxy resin to the support insert; and curing the epoxy resin under a predetermined set of conditions; and removing the at least one spacer member after the step of bonding the at least two support inserts to the tubular member.