Three-dimensional stress analysis of adhesive-bonded joints under cleavage loading

Abstract The stress distribution of adhesively bonded metal/metal single lap joints under cleavage loading is analyzed using three-dimensional (3D) elastic–plastic finite element method (FEM). Results show that there exist complicated 3D stress states in cleavage joints, mainly including three-direction normal stress components, and three-direction shear stress components, the values of the latter are far less than that of the former. Moreover, a higher tensile stress exists at the left edge (i.e. near the loaded region of the joints) of adhesive layer along bondline, however, a compressive stress at the right edge (i.e. far from the loaded region of joints) along bondline. Furthermore, effects of thickness, elastic modulus and Poisson's ratios of adhesives on 3D stress state of adhesive layer of cleavage joints also have been investigated. However, observations have been made in particular on normal stress components at the interfaces, which provides useful insight into the 3D nature of the problem.