Thin membranes loaded with adhesive lap joints

Abstract

Adhesive joints in which load is transfered from a relatively small lap onto a large membrane have been studied using finite element analysis. The effects of loading mode and lap geometry on the stress state in the membrane and adhesive and on the shear stresses at the adhesive/membrane interface have been examined. The results show that the load capacity of the joint, as well as the possible failure origin, depends on the mode of loading and the shape of the lap, with higher load capacities being achieved for wider and shorter laps. Application of the concentrated load at the central region of the lap produces a more favourable state stress in the membrane.