A Method of Estimating the Strength of Adhesive Bonded Joints of Metals

The strength of adhesive bonded joints is investigated both analytically and experimentally. The deformed states of lap joints under tensile shear loading are analysed by the finite element method on the assumption of elastic deformation. A method of using the adhesive strength law is proposed to estimate the joint strength. The adhesive strength law is experimentally determined by subjecting butt joints of two thin-walled tubes to combined axial load and torsion. The strength of lap joints is determined by adopting the adhesive strength law to the adhering interface as well as the strength law of adherend and adhesive resin. The calculated strain distribution and strength of the joints are compared with the experimental results. The effects of the joint configurations on the deformation and strength are discussed. It is shown that the proposed method is useful to predict the joint strength.