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.     

Direct Measurement of Longitudinal Strains and Stresses within Single Lap Shear Adhesive Joints Using Neutron Diffraction

The neutron diffraction technique has been used to investigate the longitudinal stresses in the adherend produced as a result of cure and due to the application of a tensile load in a single lap shear joint. A comparison has also been made between the stress distributions in loaded “aged” and “unaged” joints. The neutron diffraction technique is the only viable method of investigating these stresses within metal adherends and enables comparisons between predicted and measured stresses to be made. The results of these experiments cast doubt on some of the predictions from finite element modelling of adherend stress levels.     

An updated review of adhesively bonded joints in composite materials

Continuing interest and more developments in recent years indicated that it would be useful to update Banea and da Silva paper entitled “Adhesively bonded joints in composite materials: an overview”. This paper presents an updated review of adhesively bonded joints in composite materials, which covers articles published from 2009 to 2016. The main parameters that affect the performance of bonded joints such as surface treatment, joint configuration, geometric and material parameters, failure mode etc. are discussed. The environmental factors such as pre-bond moisture, moisture and temperature are also discussed in detail and how they affect the durability of adhesive joints. Lots of shortcomings were resolved during the last years by developing new materials, new methods and models. However, there is still a potential to evaluate and identify the best possible combination of parameters which would give the best performance of composite bonded joints.     

Direct determination of a new mode-dependent cohesive zone model to simulate metal-to-metal adhesive joints

In this paper, a new mode-dependent cohesive zone model for the simulation of metal to metal adhesive joints is directly determined. Three consecutive steps have been taken into account for this end. First, double cantilever beam (DCB) and end-notched flexure (ENF) specimens are utilized for the direct experimental extraction of the traction-separation laws (TSLs) for adhesive bonded joints subjected to pure mode I and mode II, respectively. Next, the results are implemented to obtain the relative cohesive zone parameters for defining the simplified Park-Paulino-Roesler cohesive zone model (S-PPR CZM). Finally, mixed-mode characteristics parameters are derived for an arbitrary mode-mixity ratio based on pure mode TSLs. The model is further implemented in ABAQUS® commercial software to be verified against the experimental results of pure mode loadings which leads to the direct extraction of TSLs. The experiments conducted on the strength of single lap joint (SLJ) and scarf joint (SJ) specimens, commonly tested for mixed-mode loading, confirm the accuracy of the developed mixed-mode S-PPR model for different mode-mixity conditions.     

Strength Prediction of Adhesively Bonded Single Lap Joints Under Salt Spray Environment Using a Cohesive Zone Model

The aim of this research was to develop an experimental–numerical approach to characterize the effect of salt spray environment on adhesively bonded joints and predict the degradation in joint strength. Experiments were conducted on bulk adhesive specimens and single lap joints (SLJs) under salt spray condition and the corresponding experimental results were reported. The environment degradation factor, Deg, was incorporated into a bilinear cohesive zone model (CZM) to simulate the degradation process of the joints. The degraded CZM parameters, determined from static tests on bulk adhesive, were imported into the CZM using an approximate moisture concentration gradient approach. The reduction in residual strength of SLJ under salt spray environment was successfully predicted through comparing the experimental and numerical results.     

Silanisation of adhesively bonded aluminium alloy AA6060 with γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. I. Durability investigation

The wedge test was used to determine the durability of adhesively bonded joints of pretreated aluminium alloy AA6060 in a hydrothermal environment. Testing of joints bonded with the one-component epoxy adhesive XD4600 showed that the durability was higher for surfaces that were grit-blasted with alumina than for alkaline etched, FPL-etched, and sulphuric acid anodised surfaces. All these surfaces performed much better than those abraded with ScotchBrite®. It was discovered that increased surface roughness improved the durability, while increased surface contamination reduced the durability of the bonded joints. On a very rough surface such as the grit-blasted, the effects of surface contamination were more than outweighed by the effects of surface roughness. Treatment of some of the pretreated surfaces with a 1% aqueous solution of γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane significantly improved the durability, but the ranking between the pretreatments was the same as before the silane treatment. The silane treatment also reduced the initial crack lengths of the wedge test specimens. The best performance was seen by the grit-blasting plus silane treatment, which performed much better than the well-established FPL-etch.     

Numerical Study of Adhesive Single-Lap Joints with Composite Adherends Subjected to Combined Tension–Torsion Loads

The present investigation focuses on modifying the strength of single-lap adhesively bonded joints under tension–torsion loading with the use of three-dimensional finite element (FE) modeling. A single-lap adhesively bonded joint is reinforced by fibers and analyzed by means of ABAQUS-6.9.1 FE code. The adherends are considered to be made of orthotropic materials, while the adhesive is neat resin or reinforced by various types of fibers. The carbon and glass unidirectional fibers are used for adhesive reinforcement. In the FE modeling, the behavior of all the members is assumed to be linear elastic. The ultimate bond strength is increased as the fiber volume fraction in the adhesive is increased. By changing the properties and the behavior of the adhesive from neat resin (isotropic) to fiber composite adhesive (orthotropic) and with various fiber volume fractions and by changing the orientation of the fibers in the adhesive region with respect to the global axes, the bond strength in tension–torsion loadings are changed. Also, the excessive adhesive layer is modeled and its effect on the joint strength is investigated.     

Fracture Mechanics Tests in Adhesively Bonded Joints: A Literature Review

Fracture mechanics characterization tests for adhesive joints are analyzed and reviewed in order to understand their advantages and disadvantages. Data reduction techniques for analytical methods are summarized to understand the improvements implemented in each test. Numerical approaches are also used complementing tests information. Both linear and non-linear methods to obtain the fracture energy release rate are presented. Pure mode I and mode II tests are described. Simple mixed-mode tests, varying only the specimen geometry, with limited mode-mixity are also presented. Performing a wider mode-mixity range requires sophisticated apparatus that are studied in detail. There is no general agreement about the test suitability for mixed-mode fracture assessment of adhesive joints. A universal test that can easily be performed and give accurate results is essential to optimize the expensive testing at the design stage.