Analytical solutions for adhesive composite joints considering large deflection and transverse shear deformation in adherends

This paper presents a novel formulation and analytical solutions for adhesively bonded composite single lap joints by taking into account the transverse shear deformation and large deflection in adherends. On the basis of geometrically nonlinear analysis for infinitesimal elements of adherends and adhesive, the equilibrium equations of adherends are formulated. By using the Timoshenko beam theory, the governing differential equations are expressed in terms of the adherend displacements and then analytically solved for the force boundary conditions prescribed at both overlap ends. The obtained solutions are applied to single lap joints, whose adherends can be isotropic adherends or composite laminates with symmetrical lay-ups. A new formula for adhesive peel stress is obtained, and it can accurately predict peel stress in the bondline. The closed-form analytical solutions are then simplified for the purpose of practical applications, and a new simple expression for the edge moment factor is developed. The numerical results predicted by the present full and simplified solutions are compared with those calculated by geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis using MSC/NASTRAN. The agreement noted validates the present novel formulation and solutions for adhesively bonded composite joints. The simplified shear and peel stresses at the overlap ends are used to derive energy release rates. The present predictions for the failure load of single lap joints are compared with those available in the literature.     

Bonded lap joints of composite laminates with tapered edges

This study presents a semi-analytical solution method to analyze the geometrically nonlinear response of bonded composite lap joints with tapered and/or non tapered adherend edges under uniaxial tension. The solution method provides the transverse shear and normal stresses in the adhesives and in-plane stress resultants and bending moments in the adherends. The method utilizes the principle of virtual work in conjunction with von Karman’s nonlinear plate theory to model the adherends and the shear lag model to represent the kinematics of the thin adhesive layers between the adherends. Furthermore, the method accounts for the bilinear elastic material behavior of the adhesive while maintaining a linear stress–strain relationship in the adherends. In order to account for the stiffness changes due to thickness variation of the adherends along the tapered edges, the in-plane and bending stiffness matrices of the adherents are varied as a function of thickness along the tapered region. The combination of these complexities results in a system of nonlinear governing equilibrium equations. This approach represents a computationally efficient alternative to finite element method. The numerical results present the effects of taper angle, adherend overlap length, and the bilinear adhesive material on the stress fields in the adherends, as well as the adhesives of a single- and double-lap joint.     

Linear and higher order displacement theories for adhesively bonded lap joints

This work presents an adhesive model for stress analysis of bonded lap joints, which can be applied to model thin and thick adhesive layers. In this theory, linear variations of displacement components along the adhesive thickness are firstly assumed, and the longitudinal strain and the Poisson's effect of the adhesive are modeled. A differential form of the equilibrium equations for the adherends is analytically solved by means of compatible relations of the adhesive deformation. The derived shear and peel stresses are compared with the classical adhesive model of continuous springs with constant shear and peel stresses, and validated with two-dimensional finite element results of the geometrically nonlinear analysis using a commercial package. The numerical results show that the present linear displacement theory can be applied to both thin and moderately thick adhesive layers. The present formulation of the linear displacement theory is then extended to the higher order displacement theory for stress analysis of a thick adhesive, whose numerical results are also compared with those of the finite element computation.     

Stress-function variational method for interfacial stress analysis of adhesively bonded joints

High interfacial stresses at the free edges of adherends are responsible for the debonding failure of adhesively bonded joints (ABJs). In this paper, a general stress-function variational method is formulated to determinate the interfacial shear and normal (peeling) stresses in ABJs in high accuracy. By extending authors’ prior work in stress analysis of bonded joints (Wu and Jenson, 2011), all the planar stress components in the adherends and adhesive layer of an ABJ are expressed in terms of four unknown interfacial stress functions, which are introduced at the upper and lower surfaces of the adhesive layer. A set of governing ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of the four interfacial stress functions is obtained via minimizing the complimentary strain energy of the ABJ, which is further solved by using eigenfunctions. The obtained semi-analytic stress field can satisfy all the traction boundary conditions (BCs) of the ABJ, especially the stress continuity across the bonding lines and the shear-free condition at the ends of adherends and adhesive layer. As an example, the stress field in an adhesively single-sided strap joint is determined by the present method, whose numerical accuracy and reliability are validated by finite element method (FEM) and compared to existing models in the literature. Parameter studies are performed to examine the dependencies of the interfacial stresses of the exemplified ABJ upon the geometries, moduli and temperature change of the adherends and adhesive layer, respectively. The present method is applicable for scaling analysis of joint strength, optimal design of ABJs, etc.     

Stress analysis of adhesively bonded sandwich pipe joints subjected to torsional loading

Composite pipes are becoming popular in the offshore oil and gas industry. These pipes are connected to one-another by various configurations of joints. The joints are usually the weakest link in the system. In this investigation we examine the response of various joint configurations subjected to torsion, one of the most common loading conditions in piping systems. Specifically, the theoretical analysis used to evaluate the stress field in the adhesive layers of tubular and socket type bonded sandwich lap joints is presented here. The two adherends of the joints may have different thickness and materials, and the adhesive layer may be flexible or brittle. The analysis is based on the general composite shell theory. The stress concentrations at and near the end of the joints as functions of various parameters, such as the overlap length, and thickness of the adhesive layer are studied. The effects of different adherend thickness ratios, adhesive thickness and overlap length are also studied. Results obtained from the proposed analytical solutions agree well with the results obtained from finite element analysis and those obtained by other workers.     

An investigation into the stresses in double-lap adhesive joints with laminated composite adherends

The mechanics of double-lap joints with unidirectional ([0₁₆]) and quasi-isotropic ([0/90/?45/45]_2S) composite adherends under tensile loading are investigated experimentally using moiré interferometry, numerically with a finite element method and analytically through a one-dimensional closed-form solution. Full-field moiré interferometry was employed to determine in-plane deformations of the edge surface of the joint overlaps. A linear-elastic two-dimensional finite element model was developed for comparison with the experimental results and to provide deformation and stress distributions for the joints. Shear-lag solutions, with and without the inclusion of shear deformations of the adherend, were applied to the prediction of the adhesive shear stress distributions. These stress distributions and mechanics of the joints are discussed in detail using the results obtained from experimental, numerical and theoretical analyses.     

Balanced and unbalanced patching of cracked lap joints using weighted adhesive plate element

First order shear deformation theory is applied to analyze the behavior of one-side (unbalanced) and two-side (balanced) patched lap joints containing initial through cracks. The joints are made of adherends bonded together by adhesives. An adhesive interface plate element is introduced; it consists of an adhesive layer weighted by influence of the adherend. The thin adhesive layer is assumed to behave elastically and modelled as a simple tension-shear spring. The mathematical model contains layers of adherend and weighted adhesive layer.Finite elements are employed to model the adherend with an 8-node isoparametric plate element and interface layer with a 16-node plate element. Numerical results are obtained for one-side and two-side patches the width of which could be narrower or wider than the crack length. The former leads to bulging and possible peeling while the latter provides better bonding. Stresses and crack-tip stress intensity factors are calculated for different patch thickness. Effectiveness of the weighted adhesive layer model is exhibited by comparing the present results with those found in previous work where the adhesive is modelled as an individual layer.     

The strain energy release rates in adhesively bonded balanced and unbalanced specimens and lap joints

An analytical model is developed to determine the strain energy release rate in adhesive joints of various configurations such as the double-cantilever beam and single-lap joints. The model is based on asymptotic analysis of adhesive layer stresses and Irwin’s crack closure integral. Closed-form solutions are presented for balanced and unbalanced joints under mode I, II and mixed-mode I/II that take into account the influence of the shear force on the adhesive stresses, and its influence on the strain energy release rate. The accuracy of the model is tested against the classical beam theory expressions for double-cantilever beam and end-notch flexure specimens. In fact, classical beam theory’s expressions are found to be the lower bound of the proposed model solutions, and the two methods converge as the adhesive layer thickness decreases. Analysis of single-lap joints reveals the influence of edge shear forces on the total strain energy release rate, and more importantly on the ratio between modes I and II. Results from the proposed analytical model are in good agreement with finite element results and with analytical models found in the literature.     

A unified approach to geometrically nonlinear analysis of tapered bonded joints and doublers

A unified approach for approximating the adhesive stresses in a bond line of a tapered bonded joint or doubler is delineated within the framework of a geometrically nonlinear analysis. The approach follows the Goland–Reissner solution method for a single-lap joint and involves a two-step analysis procedure. The approach also allows for the analysis of a tapered bonded joint and doubler with non-identical adherends. In the first step of the procedure, the two adherends are assumed to be rigidly bonded, and the nonlinear moment distribution along the joint is determined. Since the bending moment solution in this step is simple, it will be derived in closed-form using elementary functions. In the second step analysis, only the overlapped area of the joint is considered with the nonlinear bending moments obtained from the first step at the end of the overlap prescribed as one of its boundary conditions. This latter problem is then solved by using the multi-segment method of integration [Kalnins, A., 1964. Analysis of shell of revolutions subjected to symmetrical and non-symmetrical loads. Journal of Applied Mechanics 31, 1355–1365]. In contrast to the original Goland–Reissner solution method [Goland, M., Reissner, E., 1944. The stresses in cemented joints. Journal of Applied Mechanics 11, A17–A27], the second step analysis can be conducted within both geometrically linear theory and an approximate geometrically nonlinear theory.     

Stress distribution in a lap joint under tension-shear

This paper deals with the elastostatic load transfer of a tensile load in a model of an adhesive lap joint (tension-shear problem). The adhesive layer is regarded as infinitesimally thin and the displacement and traction vectors in the adherends are assumed to be continuous across the bond. The problem is reduced to a pair of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind which involve the mean angle between the deformed bond line and the tensile load. This angle, in turn, is determined by means of a scheme due to Goland and Reissner. Numerical results for the bond line stresses and the stress intensity factors at the ends of the bonded region are presented.     

The solution of rectangular plates with large deflection by spline functions

In this paper, Von Karman ’s set of nonlinear equations for rectangular plates with large deflection is divided into several sets of linear equations by perturbation method, the dimensionless center deflection being taken as a perturbation parameter. These sets of linear equations are solved by the spline finite-point (SFP) method and by the spline finite element (SFE) method. The solutions for rectangular plates having any length-to-width ratios under a uniformly distributed load and with various boundary conditions are presented, and the analytical formulas for displacements and deflections are given in the paper. The computer programs are worked out by ourselves. Comparison of the results with those in other papers indicates that the results of this paper are satisfactorily better.     

Accurate equations for laminated composite deep thick shells

This paper derives accurate equations of elastic deformation for laminated composite deep, thick shells. The equations include shells with a pre-twist and accurate force and moment resultants which are considerably different than those used for plates. This is due to the fact that the stresses over the thickness of the shell have to be integrated on a trapezoidal-like cross-section of a shell element to obtain the stress resultants. Numerical results are obtained and showed that accurate stress resultants are needed for laminated composite deep thick shells, especially if the curvature is not spherical. A consistent set of equations of motion, energy functionals and boundary conditions are also derived. These may be used in obtaining exact solutions or approximate ones like the Ritz or finite element methods.     

Nonlinear bending of size-dependent circular microplates based on the modified couple stress theory

The present study proposes a nonclassical Kirchhoff plate model for the axisymmetrically nonlinear bending analysis of circular microplates under uniformly distributed transverse loads. The governing differential equations are derived from the principle of minimum total potential energy based on the modified couple stress theory and von Kármán geometrically nonlinear theory in terms of the deflection and radial membrane force, with only one material length scale parameter to capture the size-dependent behavior. The governing equations are firstly discretized to a set of nonlinear algebraic equations by the orthogonal collocation point method, and then solved numerically by the Newton–Raphson iteration method to obtain the size-dependent solutions for deflections and radial membrane forces. The influences of length scale parameter on the bending behaviors of microplates are discussed in detail for immovable clamped and simply supported edge conditions. The numerical results indicate that the microplates modeled by the modified couple stress theory causes more stiffness than modeled by the classical continuum plate theory, such that for plates with small thickness to material length scale ratio, the difference between the results of these two theories is significantly large, but it becomes decreasing or even diminishing with increasing thickness to length scale ratio.     

SHEAR STRESS ANALYSIS OF TIMOSHENKO''S BEAM WITH MULTIPLY CONNECTED CROSS SECTION

In this paper, a finite element method is developed to numerically evaluate the shear coefficient of Timoshenko's beam with multiply connectd cross section. With focus on analyzing shear stresses distributed at the neutral axis of the beam, an improved definition of the shear coefficient is presented. Based on this definition, a Galerkin-type finite element formulation is proposed to analyze the shear stresses and shear deflections. Numerical solutions of the examples for some typical cross-sections are compared with the theoretical results. The shear coefficient of tower sections of the Tsing Ma Bridge is calculated by use of the proposed approach, so that the finite element modeling of the bridge can be developed with the accurate values of the sectional properties.     

On flaw size and distribution in lap joints

By using adhesive as the bonding substance between metals or polymeric materials, simple structural joints can be made to bear relatively high loads. Applications have increasingly been made in substituting adhesive joints for conventional mechanical fastenings, especially in the aircraft and aerospace industries where weight is a predominant factor. In order to design a most effective adhesive-bonded joint, an understanding of the stress distribution along the joint is as important as the physical properties of the bonding agent. One of the most common and widely used adhesive joints is the single lap joint.Recent investigations using various analytical models have revealed that the cause of failure in an idealized ‘defect free’ lap joint is primarily due to the localized effect of high stress concentration at the lap ends. With the presence of flaw like defects in the adhesive layer, the load transfer from adherend to adhesive is expected to be different from the idealized joint. In addition, localized stress concentrations induced by irregular adhesive defects that may be found in practical engineering applications can further reduce fracture strength of such an imperfect joint.This paper is intended to describe an investigation into the effect of internal adhesive flaw size and distribution on the fracture behaviour of adhesive-bonded lap joints. The finite element method is used to gain a quantitative understanding of the localized shear stress distributions due to the presence of the internal flaws along the bonding layer. It is observed that the reduction in the fracture strength is relatively small when a flaw is located in the central portion of the bonding length. However, a flaw located near the lap ends of the adhesive joint can cause marked reduction in the fracture strength, due to its interaction with the high stress concentration at the lap ends.     

Exact dynamic solutions to piezoelectric smart beams including peel stresses I: Theory and application

This work presents exact dynamic solutions to piezoelectric (PZT) smart beams including peel stresses. The governing equations of partial differential forms are firstly derived for a PZT smart beam made of the identical adherends, and then general solutions of the governing equations are studied. The analytical solutions are applied to a cantilever beam with a partially bonded PZT patch to the fixed end. For the given boundary conditions, exact solutions of the steady state motions are obtained. Based on the exact solutions, frequency spectra, natural frequencies, normal mode shapes, harmonic responses of the shear and peel stresses are discussed for the PZT actuator. The details of the numerical results and sensing electric charges will be presented in Part II of this work. The exact dynamic solutions can be directly applied to a PZT bimorph bender. To compare with the classic shear lag model whose numerical demonstrations will be given in Part II, the related equations are also derived for the shear lag rod model and shear lag beam model.     

圆薄板材料性能随温度变化的大挠度弯曲分析

记入材料性能参数随温度的变化，导出了横向力作用下圆薄板轴对称大挠度弯曲的位移型控 制方程，并利用伽辽金方法求出了圆薄板大挠度弯曲的近似位移解；针对一个简例进行了理 论计算和有限元数值模拟，二者结果一致. 在此基础上分析了圆薄板大挠度弯曲的规律及材 料参数随温度变化的热软化效应，给出了相关结果.     

Nonlinear finite element analysis of laminated composite spherical shell vibration under uniform thermal loading

In this article, nonlinear free vibration behavior of laminated composite shallow shell under uniform temperature load is investigated. The mid-plane kinematics of the laminated shell is evaluated based on higher order shear deformation theory to count the out of plane shear stresses and strains accurately. The nonlinearity in geometry is taken in Green-Lagrange sense due to the thermal load. In addition to that, all the nonlinear higher order terms are taken in the mathematical model to capture the original flexure of laminated panel. A nonlinear finite element model is proposed to discretise the developed model and the governing equations are derived using Hamilton’s principle. The sets of governing equations are solved using a direct iterative method. In order to validate the model, the results are compared with the available published literature and the limitations of the existing models have been discussed. Finally, some numerical experimentation has been done using the developed nonlinear model for different parameters (thickness ratio, curvature ratio, modular ratio, support condition, lamination scheme, amplitude ratio and thermal expansion coefficient) and their effects on the responses are discussed in detail.     

Nonlinear bending of rectangular orthotropic plate with two free edges and the other edges having nonuniform rotational flexibility

this paper presents a series solution to von Kármán nonlinear equations of a rectilinearly orthotropic rectangular plate under the combined action of lateral load and in-plane tension with the titled edge restraints. In the formulation the edge moments are replaced by an equivalent pressure near the edges. Using generalized double Fourier series for the deflection and stress function, governing equations are reduced to an infinite set of algebraic equations for coefficients in these series. Numerical results for deflections, bending moments and in-plane forces are graphically presented for various values of aspect ratio and material properties and for different edge conditions.     

Analysis of interlaminar stress and nonlinear dynamic response for composite laminated plates with interfacial damage

By considering the effect of interfacial damage and using the variation principle, three-dimensional nonlinear dynamic governing equations of the laminated plates with interfacial damage are derived based on the general sixdegrees-of-freedom plate theory towards the accurate stress analysis. The solutions of interlaminar stress and nonlinear dynamic response for a simply supported laminated plate with interfacial damage are obtained by using the finite difference method, and the results are validated by comparison with the solution of nonlinear finite element method. In numerical calculations, the effects of interfacial damage on the stress in the interface and the nonlinear dynamic response of laminated plates are discussed.