Stress Analysis of Bonded Joint Using Solid Element Combinations

Abstract

This paper describes some finite element combinations to analyse the mechanical behaviour of bonded joints. In finite element models five layers of solid elements were used across the adhesive layer in order to increase the accuracy of the results. The finite elements were refined gradually in steps from adherends to adhesive layer. In these models, most of the adherends and adhesive were modeled using solid brick elements but some solid triangular prism elements were used for a smooth transition. Comparisons are performed between different types of first-order element combinations in order to find a suitable model to predict the mechanical behaviour of adhesively bonded joints.