Stress Analysis and Failure Properties of Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced-Plastic/Steel Double-Lap Joints

Abstract

Abstract The present paper considers the strength of CFRP/steel double-lap joints loaded in tension. A detailed stress analysis has been conducted of the shear and transverse tensile stresses in the joint, using an elastic-plastic model for the rubber-modified epoxy adhesive. The results of this analysis have been combined with the measured properties of the materials forming the joint in order to predict quantitatively the failure strengths of the various joint designs studied. There was good agreement between the theoretically predicted and experimentally measured strengths. These studies have led to a highly efficient design being developed.