Effects of symmetrical bonding defects on tensile shear strength of lap joints having ductile adhesives

In this paper we examine the effect on joint strength of depleting the bond line of a relatively flexible adhesive (polyethylene) while maintaining a constant adhesive film thickness. It is shown that the tensile shear strength of a lap specimen is not governed by edge effects but rather by the bonded area. By using limit analysis of the plasticity theory, we demonstrate why the tensile shear strength of the joint is insensitive to stress concentrations at the bonding defects.