Stress analysis in elastic joint structures

A new inverse problem approach is introduced to analyse the stresses in the overlap elastic joint structures consisting of two adherents and an adhesive interlayer. Displacements in the elements of a joint are expressed in terms of some initially unknown contact stresses by solving the boundary-value problem for each element considered separately. The contact stresses are calculated from the matching continuity conditions for the displacements. Contact tearing and shear stresses, three-dimensional stress distribution in the bulk of adhesive interlayer, and the maximum stress values are calculated for different ratios of thicknesses and material properties of the adherents and the adhesive interlayer. The present study represents a new alternative modelling approach to stress analysis in the elastic joint structures. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.