Numerical studies on the stress distribution in weldbonded joints with different adhesives

The Effect of elastic modulus and thickness of the adhesives on the stress distribution in weldbonded joints has been studied with three-dimensional elastoplastic finite element method ( FEM). Stress distribution curves have been obtained at the edges of the spot welds and the lap zones in weldbonded joints, which were made with adhesives of different elastic modulus or different thickness. Results show that there exists larger stress concentration at the edge of the spot welds, though the shear stresses in the adhesive layers are smaller for weldbonded joints with low elastic modulus or thick adhesive layers. The stress concentration decreases and the shear stresses in adhesive layers increase with the increase of the elastic modulus or the decrease of the adhesive thickness. It is concluded that the thiner adhesive layers with higher elastic modulius are preferable in weldbonded joints to cut down the stress concentration.