Predicting single-lap joint strength using the natural neighbour radial point interpolation method

The increased usage of adhesive joints over traditional joining techniques results in a need to develop good designing tools for this type of joint. The most common method to predict adhesive joint strength is cohesive zone models (CZMs). CZMs use traction-separation laws that define the adhesive behaviour, which needs to be determined experimentally. However, these laws are dependent on the adhesive thickness (t(A)), so they have to be measured several times when predicting the strength of joints with different t(A) values. Recently, the critical longitudinal strain (CLS) criterion, based on continuum mechanics, was proposed and used with the finite element method to predict the strength of single-lap joints (SLJs) with good accuracy. The use of meshless methods to predict the strength of adhesive joints is currently very limited. To address this, in the present work the strength of SLJ was predicted using the CLS criterion combined with the natural neighbour radial point interpolation method. The strength predictions resulting from this approach were accurate for three different adhesives, ranging from brittle to very ductile.