Abstract
This research explores the effects of various local geometrical modifications on failure characteristics of single lap joint via an experimental study. The study was coupled with a numerical investigation by using a commercially available finite element software Abaqus®. Aerospace-grade aluminum alloy 6061-T6 was used as adherends in the fabrication of lap joints. The adherends were bonded with Araldite® 2011 structural adhesive. Geometric techniques ranging from the external taper, internal taper, adherend rounding, adhesive fillets, and a combination of internal taper with adhesive fillet were examined. Each geometric configuration was evaluated experimentally and numerically using a parametric methodology. The best-performing parameter of each geometric configuration was then compared with the others for the reduction in adhesive stresses and failure load. The geometric configuration of internal taper with adhesive fillet showed the highest reduction in both peel and shear stresses of 88.58% and 39%, respectively, which was subsequently reflected by the maximum improvement in failure load of 60.29% when compared to the base geometry without any modification.
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