Finite element predictions of composite-to-metal bonded joints with ductile adhesive materials

This work provides finite element predictions of adhesive joints that involve dissimilar materials and a ductile adhesive layer. A recently developed mixed-mode law is utilized for the description of the elastoplastic loading and fracture response of the adhesive layer under Mode I and Mode II conditions. This model is implemented in interface elements that are used to replace conventional continuum elements for modeling the adhesive area. The potential of the proposed model for analysis and design purposes is shown through simulations of experimentally tested CFRP-to-steel adhesive joints taken from the literature. Additionally, a numerical parametric study is conducted on an effort to investigate the effect of the overlap length and the thickness of the adherents to the strength of the joints. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.