Experimental study of adhesively bonded CFRP joints subjected to tensile loads

The tensile performance of adhesively bonded CFRP joints has been investigated experimentally. In this study, overlap length, adherend thickness, adherend width and scarf angle were chosen as design parameters. All load–displacement curves are linear, except that the thicker single-lap joints behave slightly nonlinearity due to the bending effect caused by eccentric loading. The lap shear strength is not directly proportional to overlap length, adherend thickness, adherend width and scarf angle for the brittle adhesive studied in the paper. The major failure mode includes adhesive shear failure and adherend delamination failure, sometimes accompanying with some fiber pull-out. Finally, the lap shear strength of three different lap types with similar bonding area (W=25 mm, L=10 mm, θ=5.71°) and adherend thickness (0.96 mm) was analyzed. It is found that the double-lap joint has the highest ultimate failure load. However, when considering the lap region weight, the scarf-lap joint is the most efficient.     

Experimental and numerical investigations of adhesively bonded CFRP single-lap joints subjected to tensile loads

In this study, both experimental tests and numerical simulation are implemented to investigate the tensile performance of adhesively bonded CFRP single-lap joints (SLJs). The study considers 7 different overlap lengths, 5 adherend widths and 3 stacking sequences of the joints. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) models are established to simulate the tensile behavior of SLJs. The failure loads and failure modes of SLJs are investigated systematically by means of FE models and they are in good agreement with those of experiments, proving the accuracy of finite element method (FEM). It is found that increasing the adherend width can improve the load-carrying capacity of the joint better than increasing the overlap length does. Moreover, choosing 0° ply as the first ply is also beneficial for upgrading joint's strength. With respect to failure modes, cohesive failure in adhesive and delamination in adherend take dominant, while matrix cracking and fiber fracture only play a small part. With overlap length increasing or adherend width decreasing, cohesive failure takes up a smaller and smaller proportion of whole failure area, but the opposite is true for delamination. SLJs bonded with [0/45/-45/90]_3S adherends are prone to cohesive failure, and [90/-45/45/0]_3S adherends are easy to appear delamination. Both shear and peel stress along the bondline indicate symmetrical and non-uniform distributions with great stress gradient near the overlap ends. As the load increases, the high stress zone shifts from the end to the middle of the bondline, corresponding to the damage initiation and propagation in the adhesive layer.     

3-D FEM stress analysis and strength evaluation of single-lap adhesive joints subjected to impact tensile loads

The stress wave propagations and interface stress distributions in the single-lap adhesive joint under impact tensile loads are analyzed using the three-dimensional finite element method (3D-FEM) taking into account the strain rate sensitive of the adhesive using Cowper–Symonds constitutive model. It is found that the rupture of the joint initiates near the middle area of the edges of the interfaces along the width direction. In addition, the effects of Young's modulus of the adherend, the overlap length and the thickness of the adhesive layer, and the initial impact velocity of the impacted mass on the stress wave propagations and the interface stress distributions are examined. The characteristics are compared with those of the joint under static loads, which show the different properties. Furthermore, experiments are also carried out for measuring the strain responses and the joint strength. A fairly good agreement is observed between the numerical and the measured results. The strength of the single-lap adhesive joint, which is described using impact energy, is obtained between 5.439 and 5.620 J for the present joint.     

Low-speed bending impact behavior of adhesively bonded single-lap joints

This study addresses the low-speed impact behavior of adhesively bonded single-lap joints. An explicit dynamic finite element analysis was conducted in order to determine the damage initiation and propagation in the adhesive layers of adhesive single-lap joints under a bending impact load. A cohesive zone model was implemented to predict probable failure initiation and propagation along adhesive–adherend interfaces whereas an elasto-plastic material model was used for the adhesive zone between upper and lower adhesive interfaces as well as the adherends. The effect of the plastic deformation ability of adherend material on the damage mechanism of the adhesive layer was also studied for two aluminum materials Al 2024-T3 and Al 5754-0 having different strength and plastic deformation ability. The effects of impact energy (3 and 11 J) and the overlap length (25 and 40 mm) were also investigated. The predicted contact force-time, contact force-central displacement variations, the damage initiation and propagation mechanism were verified with experimental ones. The SEM and macroscope photographs of the adhesive fracture surfaces were similar to those of the explicit dynamic finite element analysis.     

Numerical stress analysis of carbon-fibre-reinforced epoxy composite single-lap joints

A numerical strategy based on a finite element method is developed in order to model the stress distribution in single-lap adhesive joints. The joints were manufactured from unidirectional carbon-fibre-reinforced epoxy composites joined by an epoxy adhesive layer. Experimental parameters are used as a reference to allow for the numerical validation of the proposed analysis. Additionally, joints with different types of defects in the lap region were modelled with both two-dimensional and three-dimensional finite elements. The models include defects that vary in format (straight or circular) and position (centred or dispersed). The influenced spew fillets in the adhesive layer were also examined. Although the computational cost is higher, the results of the three-dimensional model are more compatible with the experimental results than those of the two-dimensional model. The effect of defects in the joints was adequately modelled, and the proposed methodology can be used to accurately assess the integrity of the joints since the defect has been successfully detected.     

Dynamic analysis of single-lap,adhesively bonded composite-titanium joints subjected to solid projectile impact

The transient stress in a single-lap, adhesively bonded composite-titanium joints subjected to solid projectile impact is analyzed using the three-dimensional finite element method. This method is constructed based on the progressive failure features of the composite adherend and the elastic-plastic property of the titanium adherend and adhesive. The effects of the thickness and overlap length of the adhesive layer, the solid projectile size and its velocity, and the strain-rate effect on the dynamic stress of the joints are examined. It is shown that the stress evolution with certain amplitude exists in the joint. During the impact process, compressive stress concentration is imparted at the point of the contact. Furthermore, experiments are carried out for measuring the strain responses of the adhesively bonded joints. A fairly good agreement is observed between the numerical and measured results.     

Progressive failure analysis of bolted joints in composite laminates

Abstract

A three-dimensional progressive failure analysis methodology was developed to predict the strength of double lap bolted joints in [0°/90°/±45°]_2s carbon fibre reinforced plastic laminates. An experimental programme was conducted to verify and validate the proposed computational model. Good agreement was obtained between the experimental data and predictive model. A parametric study was conducted for varied clamping torque and friction coefficient values. The well known effect of those variables on the joint strength was captured. Although the in-plane mode of failure of each individual layer around the fastener hole was predicted, X-ray radiographs have shown that delamination failure is particularly dominant around the washer’s outer edge. At present, the proposed model does not account for delamination onset and propagation. Future work will involve implementing cohesive zone elements in regions of interest to capture this interlaminar cracking, a work in which the authors are currently engaged in.     

Finite element analysis of adhesively bonded composite joints subjected to impact loadings

The main concern of this paper is to explore the geometrical and material effects on composite double lap joints (DLJ) subjected to dynamic in-plane loadings. Thus, three-dimensional finite element analyses were carried out at quasi-static and impact velocities. The DLJ alone was used for quasi-static case while an output bar was added for impact case. Elastic behavior was assumed for both adhesive and adherends. Average shear stress and stress homogeneity were extracted and compared. It was observed that the adhesive shear stiffness increases the average shear stress. Moreover, it makes the stress heterogeneity more important. On the other hand, higher values of the substrates longitudinal stiffness make the average shear stress higher; whereas, the stress homogeneity in the joint is better achieved for lower substrates’ shear stiffness.     

Geometrically non-linear analysis of adhesively bonded corner joints

When adhesively bonded joints are subjected to large displacements, the small strain-small displacement (linear elasticity) theory may not predict the adhesive or adherend stresses and deformations accurately. In this study, a geometricaly non-linear analysis of three adhesively bonded corner joints was carried out using the incremental finite element method based on the small strain-large displacement (SSLD) theory. The first one, a corner joint with a single support, consisted of a vertical plate and a horizontal plate whose left end was bent at right angles and bonded to the vertical plate. The second corner joint, with a double support, had two plates whose ends were bent at right angles and bonded to each other. The final corner joint, with a single support plus angled reinforcement, was a modification of the first corner joint. The analysis method assumes that the joint members, such as the support, plates, and adhesive layers, have linear elastic properties. Since the adhesive accumulations (spew fillets) around the adhesive free ends have a considerable effect on the peak adhesive stresses, they were taken into account. The joints were analyzed for two different loading conditions: one loading normal to the horizontal plate plane P_y and the other horizontal loading at the horizontal plate free edge P_x. In addition, three corner joints were analyzed using the finite clement method based on the small strain-small displacement (SSSD) theory. In predicting the effect of the large displacements on the stress and deformation states of the joint members, the capabilities of both analyses were compared. Both analyses showed that the adhesive free ends and the outer fibres of the horizontal and vertical plates were subjected to stress concentrations. The peak stresses appeared at the slot corners inside the adhesive fillets and at the horizontal and vertical plate outer fibres corresponding to the locations where the horizontal and vertical adhesive fillets finished. The SSLD analysis predicted that the displacement components and the peak adhesive and plate stress components would show a non-linear variation for the loading condition P_x, whereas the SSSD analysis showed smaller stress variations proportional to the applied load. However, both the SSLD and the SSSD analyses predicted similar displacement and stress variations for the loading condition P_y. Therefore, the stress and deformation states of the joint members are dependent on the loading conditions, and in the case of large displacements, the SSSD analysis can be misleading in predicting the stresses and deformations. The SSLD analysis also showed that the vertical and horizontal support lengths and the angled reinforcement length played an important role in reducing the peak adhesive and plate stresses.     

Numerical study of lap joints with composite adhesives and composite adherends subjected to in-plane and transverse loads

In this paper, single lap joints for joining fibre composites were modeled and a three-dimensional finite element method was used to study the joint strength under in-plane tensile and out-of-plane loadings. The behaviour of all the members was assumed to be linear elastic. The adherends were considered to be orthotropic materials while the adhesive could be neat resin or reinforced one. The largest values of shear and peel stresses occurred near the ends of the adhesive region, as expected. The values and the rate of variation in peel stress was more than that of shear stress. By changing the properties and behaviour of adhesive from neat epoxy (isotropic) to fibre composite adhesive (orthotropic) and with various fibre volume fractions of glass fibre, the ultimate bond strength increased as the fibre volume fraction increased, in both tensile and transverse loadings. Also, changing the orientation of fibres in the adhesive region with respect to the global axes influenced the bond strength.     

Influence of nano-reinforcement on the mechanical behavior of adhesively bonded single-lap joints subjected to static,quasi-static,and impact loading

In this study, the effects of nano-reinforcement on the mechanical response of adhesively bonded single-lap joints with composite adherends subjected to different loading (strain) rates are systematically investigated. The results are then compared to those of the neat thermoset resin and a toughened acrylic–epoxy adhesive. More specifically, nano-reinforced and neat resin-bonded joints mating carbon/epoxy and glass/epoxy adherends were subjected to tensile loadings under 1.5 and 3 mm/min and tensile impacts at a loading rate of 2.04E + 5 mm/min. In some cases, additional tests were conducted to obtain the enhancement in properties that could be gained using the nano-reinforcements for use in our further numerical investigations. The other loading rates tried were 15, 150, and 1500 mm/min. The high loading rate tests were conducted, using a modified instrumented pendulum equipped with a specially designed impact load transfer apparatus. The dispersion of nanoparticles was facilitated using a mechanical stirrer and a three-roll mill machine. The results of the impact tests revealed the positive influence of nano-reinforcements on the loading rate sensitivity of the joints. In all, the overall stiffness and strength of the joints increased as the nano-reinforcement and loading rates were increased. The failure surfaces were then examined with a scanning electron microscope to observe the distribution of the nanoparticles and study the mode of failure.     

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of single-lap adhesive joints under impact loads

This paper deals with the stress wave propagation and stress distribution in single-lap adhesive joints subjected to impact tensile loads with small strain rate. The stress wave propagations and stress distributions in single-lap joints have been analyzed using an elastic three-dimensional finite-element method (DYNA3D). An impact load was applied to the single-lap adhesive joint by dropping a weight. One end of one of the adherends in the single-lap adhesive joint was fixed and the other adherend to which a bar was connected was impacted by the weight. The effects of Young's modulus of the adherends, the overlap length, the adhesive thickness and the adherend thickness on the stress wave propagations and stress distributions at the interfaces have been examined. It was found that the maximum stress occurred near the edge of the interface and that it increased with an increase of Young's modulus of the adherends. It was also seen that the maximum stress increased as the overlap length, the adhesive thickness and the adherend thickness decreased. In addition, strain response of single-lap adhesive joints subjected to impact tensile loads was measured using strain gauges. Fairly good agreements were observed between the numerical and experimental results.     

胶层中间隙长度及位置对接头剪切强度的影响

研究了在单搭接接头上、胶缝中预留的不同长度间隙对接头剪切强度和剪切应力分布的影响。结果表明，随着间隙长度的增加，接头的承栽能力趋于减小，但接头的实际剪切强度却持续上升．当间隙长度再继续增加时，接头的实际强度趋于下降。研究中还发现间隙所处的位置对接头的剪切强度有较大的影响，胶层端部预留间隙使接头的承载能力和实际强度均显著下降。有限元数值分析的结果表明，间隙长度超过某特定值后，胶层中的应力集中系数会急剧上升，间隙位于端部时胶层中的应力集中程度明显高于位于中部处。     

A two-dimensional stress analysis and strength evaluation of band adhesive butt joints subjected to tensile loads

The stresses in band adhesive butt joints, in which two adherends are bonded partially at the interfaces, are analyzed, using a two-dimensional theory of elasticity, in order to demonstrate the usefulness of the joints. In the analysis, similar adherends and adhesive bonds, which are bonded at two or three regions, are, respectively, replaced by finite strips. In the numerical calculations, the effects of the ratio of Young's moduli for adherends to that for adhesives, the adhesive thickness, the bonding area and position, and the load distribution are shown on the stress distributions at interfaces. It is seen that band adhesive joints are useful when the bonding area and positions are changed with external load distributions. Photoelastic experiments and the measurement of the adherend strains were carried out. The analytical results are in a fairly good agreement with the experimental results. In addition, a method for estimating the joint strength is proposed by using the interface stress distribution obtained by the analysis. Experiments concerning joint strength were performed and fairly good agreement is found between the estimated values and the experimental results.     

The shear strength of composite secondary bonded single-lap joints with different fabrication methods

Abstract

The shear strength of composite secondary bonded single-lap joints was studied in this article. To optimize the adhesive thickness and ensure stable mechanical properties, an improved mold was applied. Based on this mold, a total of 15 specimens (180 samples) were examined and they were fabricated with various overlap lengths, curing pressures, adhesive thicknesses, ply angles, and surface treatment methods. The experimental results indicated that the improved mold not only significantly increased the uniformity of the adhesive thickness but also enhanced the shear strength of the joints and the shear strength was improved by approximately 13% compared to that of conventional methods. Moreover, the shear strength was decreased in specimens with increased overlap lengths and increased in samples with an increased curing pressure. Furthermore, the shear strength of the specimens was also affected by the adhesive thicknesses, ply angles, and surface treatment methods. The mechanisms can be ascribed to the effect of the fabrication method on the failure mode. A facile platform for optimizing these parameters is provided in this article. Based on this platform, the shear strength of the joints was enhanced to 33.5?MPa.     

Modeling of single-lap composite adhesive joints under mechanical and thermal loads

Two-dimensional (plane-stress and plane-strain) theoretical models are presented for stress analysis of adhesively bonded single-lap composite joints subjected to either thermal or mechanical loading or a combination thereof. The joints consist of similar/dissimilar orthotropic or isotropic adherends and an isotropic adhesive interlayer. The governing differential equation of the problem is obtained using a variational method which minimizes the complementary strain energy in the bonded assembly. In this formulation, through-thickness variation of shear and peel stresses in the interlayer is considered. Both shear and normal traction-free boundary conditions are exactly satisfied. Peel and shear stresses obtained from plane-strain analytical models considering a homogeneous adhesive interlayer are in close agreement with those of the finite element predictions. A systematic parametric study is also conducted to identify an ideal set of geometric and material parameters for the optimal design of single-lap composite joints.     

Analytical model of double-lap bonded joints subjected to impact loads

A stress analysis of adhesively bonded double lap joints having half-infinite lengths was performed using a half-closed-form approach. The approach is based on an improved shear-lag model. Thus normal deformations and shear deformations were considered inside the adherends. Differential equations governing adherends-interfaces displacements were extracted from the dynamic equilibrium equations. Laplace transform was used to solve the differential equations. The stress variation with respect to time at the edge of the adhesive layer was investigated. Transfer function between applied load and adhesive edge shear stress was extracted. Impulse response was deduced using the inverse Laplace׳s transform of the transfer function. Impulse response appeared to be a zero-order Bessel function. The indicial response of the joint can be calculated by the integration of the impulse response over time. The model was validated for different substrates׳ materials.     

Fracture and fatigue behavior of scrim cloth adhesively bonded joints with and without rivet holes

_—Tensile and fatigue disbond propagation studies on scrim cloth structural adhesive lap joints without and with rivet holes were performed. The geometry of the rivet holes is similar to that in a fuselage part of an aircraft. The joints were cycled in tension-tension fatigue at a frequency of 3 Hz and a maximum load, below the linear limit of the joint, which was obtained from the tensile tests of similar joints. The disbond length at each corner of the joint was viewed using a travelling optical microscope attached to a video camera. It was found that the static-tensile behavior of both types of joints (without and with rivet holes) consists of three stages: a linear stage followed by a region of increased non-linearity and then a 'yield' region. It is within this yield region that the rivet holes affect the strength of the joint. Stress analysis of the disbond problem under static loading revealed a strong mixed mode between the opening and shear mode stress intensity factors for both types of joints. The fatigue disbond kinetics of adhesively bonded joints without and with rivet holes were found to display an S-shaped curve with three stages of the disbond propagation rate. Failure analysis of the fatigue failed joints (without and with rivet holes) revealed three distinct regions on each half of the failed joint: an interfacial region with bare metal, a cohesive region, and an interfacial region with the adhesive adhered to the substrate. Scanning electron microscopic analysis of the disbond surface showed that the cohesive region of the fatigue fractured joints is more tortuous compared with the statically failed joints.     

Failure analysis of adhesively bonded tubular joints of laminated FRP composites subjected to combined internal pressure and torsional loading

Abstract

Finite element analysis has been carried in the present research to study individual and combined effect of internal pressure and torsional loading on stress and failure characteristics in case of an adhesively bonded Tubular Single Lap Joints (TSLJ) made of laminated Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials. Effect of changing torsional load magnitude on an internally pressurised adhesively bonded TSLJ on interlaminar stresses and onset of different joint fracture modes (adhesion and cohesion failures) has also been studied in the present analysis. Three dimensional stress analysis of the adhesively bonded TSLJ has been carried out through suitable ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL) of ANSYS 14.0. Tsai-Wu coupled stress criterion has been used for predicting the onset of joint failures in the TSLJ. It has been observed that stresses (σ_r, σ_θ, σ_z, τ_rz) induced within the joint region under pure internal pressure loading are least affected through introduction of a torsional loading in the TSLJ. However, the stresses (τ_rθ and τ_θz) which are considered to be significant under pure torsional loading get tremendously enhanced due to the varying torsional loading. The interface between the outer tube and adhesive of the TSLJ has been observed to be the most critical bondline interface which is prone to undergo adhesion failure towards the free edges under pure internal loading conditions. However, under pure torsional loading conditions it tends to fracture through adhesion failure towards the clamped edge of the TSLJ. Under combined torsional and internal pressure loading the joint fails towards the clamped edge of the along the critical path which happens to be within the bondline interface, indicating predominance of torsional loading over the pure internal pressure loading. A comparative study based on the magnitude of failure index revealed that torsional loading marginally affects the joint failure as the internal pressure loading improves the compactness of the bonded joint hence improving the resistance of the TSLJ against initiation of joint fractures.     

Analysis and design of adhesively bonded corner joints

In this study, the stress and stiffness analyses of corner joints with a single corner support, consisting of two plates, one of which plain and the other bent at right angles, have been carried out using the finite element method. It was assume that the plates and adhesive had linear elastic properties. Corner joints without a fillet at the free ends of the adhesive layer were considered. The joint support was analysed under three loading conditions, two linear and one bending moment. In the stress analysis, it was found that for loading in the y-direction and by bending moment, the maximum stresses occurred around the lower end of the vertical adhesive layer/ vertical plate interface; for loading in the x-direction, the maximum stresses occurred around the right free end of the horizontal adhesive layer/vertical plate interface. The effects of upper support length, support taper length and adhesive thickness on the maximum stresses have been investigated. Since the peel stresses are critical for this type of joint, a second corner joint with double corner support (i.e., one in which the horizontal plate is reinforced by a support that is an extension of the vertical plate) was investigated which showed considerable decreases in the stresses, particularly peel stresses. A third type of corner joint with single corner support plus an angled reinforcement member was investigated as an alternative to the previous two configurations. It was found that increasing the length and particularly the thickness of the angled reinforcement reduced the high peel stresses around the lower free end of the adhesive/vertical plate interface, but resulted in higher compressive stresses. In the stiffness analysis, the effects of the geometry of the joints, relative stiffness of adhesive/adherends and adhesive thickness were investigated under three loading conditions. For three types of corner joint, results were compared and recommended designs were determined based on the overall static stiffness of the joints and on the stress analysis.