Cohesive-frictional interface constitutive model

In the framework of numerical analysis of joined bodies, the present paper is devoted to the constitutive modeling, via an interface kinematic formulation, of mechanical behaviour of internal adhesive layers. The proposed interface constitutive model couples a cohesive behaviour, based on the damage mechanics theory, with a frictional one, defined in a non-associative plasticity framework. Namely, the interface formulation follows the transition of the adhesive material from the sound elastic condition to the fully cracked one. This formulation is able to model, by means of a specific interpretation of the damage variable and in a relevant mathematical setting, the interface intermediate mechanical properties, during the microcracks spreading process up to the discontinuity surface formation (macrocrack). The constitutive modeling is performed in fully compliance with the thermodynamic principles, in order to ensure the thermodynamic consistency requirement. In the present work, various monotonic and cyclic loading conditions are examined in order to show the main features of the constitutive formulation as well as several significant differences with respect to other existing models. Computational efficiency of the interface constitutive model is tested in a numerical application by FEM resolution strategy approach. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.