Adhesive and composite failure prediction of single-L joint structures under tensile loading

✍ Scribed by S. Feih; H.R. Shercliff

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 781 KB
• Volume: 25
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0143-7496
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijadhadh.2004.02.005

✦ Synopsis

In this article, single-L composite peel joints are investigated under tensile loading. The adhesive peel fillet is the critical component regarding joint failure, with sub-critical damage developing in the composite. Optimisation of the joint can be achieved by changing the fillet shape. A method of adhesive injection was applied to guarantee repeatable joint designs. Experimental testing shows an increase in joint strength of up to 100% by altering the fillet shape. Numerically, sub-critical composite failure, composite delamination and adhesive failure are investigated. Adhesive failure criteria are reviewed and compared to the experimental outcome. A zone criterion was found to predict the failure load best for different fillet shapes, while a damage mechanics approach could be applied to simulate the crack growth during adhesive failure.