Nonlinear adhesive behavior effects in cracked metal-to-composite bonded structures

Abstract

The problem of a cracked metallic layer bonded to a composite (orthotropic) layer is analyzed. The analysis takes into consideration the nonlinear behavior of the adhesive. The structure is considered to be under generalized plane-stress loading, and the adhesive layer is treated as a nonlinear shear spring. The problem is reduced to the solution of a set of integral equations using a complex variable formulation. The integral equations are solved numerically for the shear stresses in the adhesive. The stress intensity factors ahead of the crack tips in the cracked metallic layer are computed for nonlinear adhesive behavior.