Three-dimensional finite element analysis of single-lap adhesive joints subjected to impact bending moments

This paper deals with the stress wave propagations and stress distributions in single-lap adhesive joints subjected to impact bending moments with small strain rate. The elastic stress wave propagation and the stress distribution in single-lap adhesive joints of similar adherends subjected to impact bending moments are analyzed using three-dimensional finite-element method (FEM). A three-point impact bending moment is applied to the joint by dropping a weight. FEM code employed is DYNA3D. The effects of Young's modulus of the adherends, the lap length, the adherend thickness and the adhesive thickness on the stress wave propagation at the interfaces are examined. It is found that the maximum value of the maximum principal stress, sigma(1), appears at the interface between the adhesive and the upper surface of upper adherend which is impacted. The maximum stress, sigma(1), increases as Young's modulus of adherends, the lap length and the adhered thickness increase. It is also found that the maximum stress, sigma(1) increases with decreasing adhesive thickness. In addition, experiments were carried out to measure the strain response of single-lap joints subjected to impact bending moments using strain gauges. A fairy good agreement was observed between the numerical and experimental results.