3-D non-linear stress analysis on the adhesively bonded T-joints with embedded supports

In the present study, it is aimed to compare mechanical behaviors of T-joint types with embedded and non-embedded supports subjected to bending moment. For this purpose, after experimental studies on the two different T-joint types were conducted, stress analyses in the T-joints were performed with a three-dimensional finite element method by considering the geometrical non-linearity and the material non-linearities of the adhesive (DP460) and adherend (AA2024-T3). Finally, stress analyses and experimental results show that the variation of the geometry of the bonding zone, e.g., embedding the supports, would change the stress distributions and strength of the joint. Additionally, it is seen that T-joints with embedded supports carry 30% more load than T-joints with non-embedded supports although their bending stiffnesses decrease. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.