Stress analysis of adhesive-bonded lap joints

TLDR

Stresses in a standard metal‑to‑metal adhesive‑bonded lap joint are analysed by a two‑dimensional finite‑element method and compared with previous analyses. The study uses a two‑dimensional finite‑element model of a metal‑to‑metal adhesive‑bonded lap joint, focusing on end‑of‑adhesive stresses, modeling the adhesive spew as a triangular fillet and assuming linear elastic behaviour. The highest stresses occur at the adherend corner within the spew, a rubber model confirms this, and practical results agree well with the finite‑element predictions.

Abstract

Stresses in a standard metal-to-metal adhesive-bonded lap joint are analysed by a two-dimensional finite-element method and comparisons are made with previous analyses. Particular attention is paid to the stresses at the ends of the adhesive layer. Unlike previous work, which assumes the adhesive to have a square edge, the adhesive spew is treated as a triangular fillet. The highest stresses exist at the adherend corner within the spew. Linear elastic behaviour is assumed throughout. A rubber model is reported which confirms these results physically. Good agreement was also obtained between some practical results and the finite-element predictions.