Tensile Strength Failure Research Articles

Numerical simulations of thermal fracturing in nuclear waste disposal

Regarding high-level nuclear waste (HLW) and spent fuel (SF) disposal, underground geological disposal is likely to be the most feasible and effective solution [1]. The coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) behaviour of host rocks has been widely studied by laboratory tests, in-situ experiments and numerical analyses. In field experiments performed in underground laboratories, pore pressure generation and damage evolution have been observed. In this context, coupled THM numerical analyses can be an essential tool to better understand the coupled multiphysics behaviour of host rocks, buffer materials and canisters. In addition, large-scale field experiments provide a crucial opportunity to demonstrate understanding and to assess the predictive/modelling capabilities under realistic conditions.
 A number of hydromechanical (HM) numerical simulations of underground excavations have been carried out and the mechanisms of pore pressure and damage evolution have been studied [2]. Also, numerical analyses have been used to predict the observations of THM behaviour of in-situ heating tests, and there is some research on the damage evolution due to thermal loading [3], but few studies focus on the analysis of strain localization problems, in part due to specific numerical difficulties. However, thermal fracturing behaviour has indeed been observed in experiments and a better understanding of the phenomenon and of shear band evolution is crucial for a proper assessment of the stability of HLW/SF disposal.
 In this study, the coupled THM response of a generic HLW disposal facility under high-temperature has been analysed; in particular, the mechanism of thermal pressurization and the corresponding thermal fracturing behaviour have been examined. For this purpose, an advanced elastoplastic constitutive model with damage has been used to represent the mechanical behaviour of the host rock; it incorporates the following features: (1) a hyperbolic approximation to the Mohr-Coulomb yield surface to represent shear and tensile failure modes, (2) stiffness and strength anisotropy, (3) hardening and softening behaviour, (4) viscous effects and (5) a non-local integral type approach for the plasticity component of the model. The adopted overstress theory and the nonlocal formulation are capable of regularising the spatial distribution of plastic strains, eliminating mesh dependency and improving numerical efficiency. The coupling between accumulated plastic strain and hydraulic permeability has been considered in the analyses. Note that the term damage used in this study, refers to a state of the material, instead of the concept associated with damage mechanics theory; in addition, fracture represents localization phenomena in the damaged area.
 Numerical simulations have been performed using the finite element method software CODE_BRIGHT. Two-dimensional generic disposal configurations have been carried out for the two cases of unsupported and supported tunnels. The host rock is assumed to be the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone (COx). Three modelling stages have been considered: the excavation stage, the waiting stage and the heating stage, as shown in Figure 1 (a). In the heating stage, the thermal flow at the borehole wall is set as a constant power (200 W/m) and a no hydraulic flow boundary condition is prescribed. A maximum temperature of around 80 °C has been obtained on the drift wall at heating time t = 10 years.
 In addition, Figure 1 (b) shows the contours of plastic shear strains and liquid pressures at heating time t = 10 years. Near-field damage is caused by both the excavation of galleries and the effect of thermal pressurization. In the simulations presented, shear bands develop significantly during the heating stage. By comparing two cases in Figure 1 (b), it can be concluded that the installation of liners can efficiently limit the damage evolution and reduce the likelihood of thermal fracturing, significantly improving the stability of HLW disposal. Note that the scales of the two cases in Figure 1 (b) are different. Figure 1(c) shows that a lower pore pressure close to the gallery wall for the unsupported tunnel due to the higher level of damage in this case that results in a larger permeability of the rock in the damaged area.
 Apart from the analysis of the mechanism of THM behaviour in a high-temperature environment, numerical simulations have also been carried out of the large-scale PRACLAY Heater test (performed in the HADEs underground laboratory) and of the CRQ heating experiment (performed in the Meuse-Haute Marne underground laboratory). A good agreement has been observed between numerical predictions and experimental data, in terms of both temperature and pore pressure. These numerical validation exercises are, however, outside the scope of this abstract.

Mechanical behaviour and interface correlative microscopic analysis of vacuum diffusion bonded dissimilar stainless steel/α-Ti alloy joint for aerospace applications

In the present study, dissimilar metal joints between stainless steel (SS321) and α-Ti alloy are produced through diffusion bonding under vacuum at 850, 900, and 950 °C temperature under 10 MPa pressure for 10–30 min by using a thermo-mechanical simulator. A correlative microscopic approach involving Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning TEM, and Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) is employed for examining the resultant interface microstructure, chemistry, and structural information at finer length scales. The detailed microstructural investigation revealed that the joint interface possessed a series of five layers of intermetallics phases viz. σ phase (layer 1), χ phase (layer 2), (Fe,Cr)2Ti (layer 3’), FeTi (layer 3”) and β-Ti (layer 4). The joint produced at 850 °C for 30 min exhibited a maximum tensile failure strength of ∼247 MPa (∼40 % of σ(SS321)). The produced joints have poor strength under tensile loading as compared to under shear loading because of the difference in load sharing mechanism of intermetallic phases. The fracture surfaces of the tensile tested sample and interface failure regions analysis showed (Fe,Cr)2Ti and FeTi phases as the weakest and most embrittling phases. The importance of the type of loading while designing the dissimilar metal joint configuration has been established.

Fuzzy set‐based methodology for manufacturing parameter determination of 3D‐printed polylactide components with user‐specified strength, geometrical design, and cost requirements

AbstractA computational data‐driven fuzzy set‐based methodology is proposed and applied to determine, with high accuracy, the manufacturing parameters of 3D‐printed polylactide (PLA) components, ensuring user‐specified failure tensile strength and design requirements (here: the notch root radius). Hence, the novel decision‐making tool to estimate 3D‐printing process parameters is offered, ensuring desired design characteristics and the mechanical performance. The estimated manufacturing angle and infill density have been adjusted to provide meaningful values for real applications, still resulting in accurate predictions through the validation process. Following the success of these design and strength driven estimations, an extension of the proposed methodology to the cost‐saving problem has then been suggested by introducing printing period and material cost as extra inputs to the decision‐making process.

Analysis of tensile damage characteristics of single filled bolt hole in laminate

AbstractThe strength of filled bolt holes of composites is an important parameter in developing the bearing bypass envelope curves for bolted joint structures in engineering design. This paper presents the procedures of tensile failure strengths and damage for a laminate with a filled bolt hole. Tests of two different cases, open‐hole tension (OHT) and filled‐hole tension (FHT), were performed and repeated seven times, respectively. A new type of virtual testing based on the LaRC05 criteria coupling with XFEM crack technique was developed to predict and analyze the crack initiation and early propagation around the bolt hole in the laminates. Two analytical methods were also adopted to predict the residual strength for a laminate after drilling. The results show that the thinner sample would present a higher strength with the same material system. It is also shown that the virtual test can well capture the failure modes, revealing that the 0° fiber has a natural function of crack arrest, the 90° layers that are the fracture pioneers with matrix tensile failure trigger the fiber breakage of 0° layers, and the failure of 45° layers occurs at the last. Additionally, an interesting phenomenon is observed that the initial failure around the filled hole edge does not affect the structural stiffness. Finally, a good agreement is achieved among the experimental, analytical and numerical results. It suggests that the results could provide a valuable guidance for the design of multi‐bolted joint structure.

On correlation of stamping process with fiber angle variation and structural performance of thermoplastic composites

This study aims to experimentally explore the influences of stamping conditions on the variations in fiber yarn angle and material properties of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CoFRTP). First, the upright-orthogonal (O-), biased-orthogonal (B-) and non-orthogonal (N-) specimens were manufactured with thermo-stamping process. Second, the X-ray computed tomography (CT) was employed to characterize fiber yarn angle variations within each layer of thin-walled CoFRTP structures nondestructively. The results indicate that fiber yarn angle varied in different layers at the same position and also changed at different positions in the same layer for the N-specimens. In addition, the 6-ply, 8-ply and 10-ply N-specimens exhibited a similar average variation in fiber yarn angle. Finally, the tensile and three-point bending (TPB) tests were conducted to investigate the effects of stacking sequence and fiber yarn angle variations on material properties and structural performances of these consolidated CoFRTP specimens. In the off-axis tensile tests, the modulus, yield strength and failure strength of laminates decreased but the failure strain increased with increasing fiber yarn angle. In the TPB tests, the O-specimen showed the smallest failure displacement, the B-specimen presented the highest peak force, and the N-specimen exhibited the largest failure displacement. This study is anticipated to gain insights into the relationship between stamping process and forming characteristics as well as structural performances of CoFRTP structures.

Anisotropic Tensile Characterisation of Eucalyptus nitens Timber above Its Fibre Saturation Point, and Its Application.

Plantation-grown Eucalyptus nitens (E. nitens) has been grown predominantly for the pulp and paper industry. In this study, the suitability of E. nitens as a structural material is examined using static tensile tests in a universal testing machine. The anisotropic tensile behaviour of 240 Eucalyptus nitens small clear wood samples with a diversity of grain angles was examined in both dry and wet conditions. The samples had a highly anisotropic tensile characterisation in the context of both a low moisture content (MC = 12%) and a high moisture content (MC > its fibre saturation point, FSP). The results showed that, in a high moisture content condition, the wood showed a lower failure strength and more ductility at all grain angles than in a low moisture content condition. The underlying failure mechanism of Eucalyptus nitens timber in tension was determined in detail from the perspective of the microstructure of wood cellulose polymer composites. The mean tensile failure strengths perpendicular and parallel to the fibre direction were, respectively, 5.6 and 91.6 MPa for the low MC and 3.8 and 62.1 MPa for the high MC condition. This research provides a basis for using E. nitens as a potential structural tensile member. The moisture modification factors of Eucalyptus timber at a mean level are higher than those of the traditional construction material, Pinus radiata, implying that E. nitens is promising as a material to be used for tensile members in water saturated conditions.

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF HEAT INPUT IN THE SPOT WELDING OF DISSIMILAR MATERIALS

Resistance spot welding (RSW) of dissimilar metals is an emerging trend in automobile industries in the manufacture of passenger-vehicle bodies. It provides the material characteristics and advantages of both metals. In this research work, the influence of heat addition and maximum interface temperature in the RSW of austenitic stainless-steel sheets (AISI 304 and AISI 316L) is investigated by welding the specimens at various levels of welding current and weld time. The ultimate strength of the spot-welded joints is analyzed to evaluate the amount of heat utilization and the quality of spot welds, finite-element analysis, and macrostructural evaluations. The thermal distribution profile and stress-strain analysis on the welded specimens are carried out with the 3D finite-element model developed using ABAQUS V6.6 software through incremental electro-thermal-structural analysis. A maximum tensile shear failure strength of 253 MPa was obtained with a nugget diameter 6.55 mm and the heat utilization being 59.69 %.

Numerical Tensile Damage Procedure Analysis of Angle-Ply Laminate Using Multi-Scale RVEs with Smear Crack Models.

This paper reported the tensile failure strengths and damage procedure of composite laminate manufactured from the toughened-epoxy T800 prepreg at multi-scale levels. According to the exterior and interior distinction of each layer in laminate, the macro/mesoscale representative volume element (macro-RVE, meso-RVE) was first constructed, respectively. Then the micro-scale representative volume element (micro-RVE) with a hexagonal fiber-packed pattern in the interior zone of each layer in the laminate was finally determined on the principle of the same fiber volume fraction between the composite laminate and multi-scale RVEs. In the multi-RVEs analysis, the mechanical failure strengths of each scale model were transmitted from the last-scale model’s homogenization, such as the meso-RVE from micro-RVE and the macro-RVE from meso-RVE. Based on our previous report, the innovative multi-scale damage and post-damage models on the concept of the smear crack were improved fully and incorporated by user-defined material subroutines (UMATs), such as in the addition of multiple cracks co-coupled, which makes it predict the element damage procedure. The averaged mechanical responses with damage mechanism of multi-scale RVEs under tensile, compressive, or shear loadings were obtained wholly by the homogenization method. The macroscale tensile damage initiation and propagation procedure were analyzed in detail including their global/local responses, being extended to comparison with experimental results.

Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis of Buried Water Distribution Network: Combined Finite-Element and Probabilistic Approach

Corrosion deterioration is the predominant factor for a large number of cast iron (CI) water main breaks. The reliability of CI pipelines decreases overtime as corrosion growth on pipe walls significantly reduces the strength of pipeline materials. To predict the reliability of water pipelines accurately, this study used a finite-element analysis (FEA) approach to determine the maximum pipeline stress at various stages of the pipeline’s life. A series of FEAs was performed to consider uncertainties in parameters associated with stress analysis. The circumferential stress was found to be the most critical stress for pipelines. Time-variant circumferential stress was obtained by accounting for the time-dependent corrosion pit growth on the pipeline wall. The time-variant failure probability of pipelines was determined by comparing the circumferential stress and the tensile failure strength of the pipeline at the burst limit state. The FEA model developed in this study was validated with the results obtained from previous studies. Monte Carlo simulation was performed to generate the fragility curves in a probabilistic manner. This study also compared the fragility curves obtained utilizing FEA and conventional equations (elastic ring theory and the Spangler formula). The results showed that analytical equations are too conservative and provide a higher failure probability of pipeline. A sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the relative importance of parameters contributing to the pipeline’s performance. Additionally, the reliability of the water distribution network (WDN) was calculated based on the minimum cut set (MCS) and graph decomposition methods. The results showed that the two methods provide similar outcomes, however, MCS provides a greater safety margin. The proposed approach was illustrated for an example WDN.

Prediction of tensile failure of stochastic tow-based discontinuous composites via mesoscale finite element analysis

Stochastic tow-based discontinuous composite (STBDC) laminates are made from compression-molded tows of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). STBDCs are a material system that can be manufactured in complex three-dimensional geometries which provides an alternative to metallic components for primary and secondary structures. The effective elastic properties of STBDCs are often approximated as quasi-isotropic; however, this approximation does not adequately represent the material properties. A random sequential addition representative volume element (RVE) generation algorithm has been developed that considers the mesostructural morphology of STBDCs using a non-conforming voxel-based mesh framework. Using the framework, a full factorial design of experiments is performed on unnotched tension coupons. Simulations are performed using the Abaqus/Explicit solver. Results are compared to reported values found in the available literature, demonstrating good correlation compared effective stiffnesses and unnotched tensile failure strengths.

Failure mechanism of three-post insulators in the GIL under radial loads

Mechanical weakness is one of the most important factors causing the fault of a three-post insulator in the GIL, and a common failure location is the epoxy-insert interface of the insulator. In this paper, three-post insulators in a 550 kV GIL with no defect, a debonded defect and an air gap in the epoxy-insert interface are employed as samples, respectively. An adhesion simulation model and a decohesion simulation model of the interface are established. Failure mechanism of the insulators under radial loads is studied by the numerical simulation and the experimental measurement. The experiment results illustrate that the fracture of the insulators under radial loads occurs in the semi-conductive adhesive layer and conforms to the brittle fracture. The adhesion simulation model is suitable for interface simulation before the fracture, and the decohesion simulation model is suitable for interface simulation in fracture process. Compared with the defectless insulator, fracture strength of the insulator with a 1 mm thickness debonded defect decreases sharply by 71.3%, while that of the insulator with an air gap of 1 mm diameter and 5 mm height decreases slightly by 4.9%. Combined with the simulation results, the fracture process of three-post insulators under radial loads could be inferred as follows: a crack appears as soon as the stress of the epoxy around the maximum curvature of the epoxy-insert interface reaches its tensile failure strength, after that the crack quickly extends along the inner of the peripheral epoxy and the bottom of the interface until finally fracture. In other words, the failure of three-post insulators under radial loads depends on the tensile strength of the epoxy around the maximum curvature of the interface.

Comparison of Specimen Geometries for Measuring Through-Thickness Tensile Mechanical Properties of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Engineering design of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite components requires reliable methods for measuring out-of-plane mechanical properties in the through-thickness (T-T) material direction. Within this work, existing indirect and direct test methods and geometries for measuring T-T tensile properties have been evaluated through experimental testing and finite element analysis (FEA). Experimental testing showed variations, particularly in failure properties, for both indirect (failure strengths from 10–94 MPa) and direct (failure strengths from 48–62 MPa) geometries. Results were shown to be in good agreement with FEA, which also confirmed stress concentration factors. A linear relationship between the magnitude of stress concentration factors and experimentally determined T-T tensile failure strengths was observed for all but one of the direct geometries evaluated. Improved knowledge of stress concentration factors from this work should help instil confidence for industry to use T-T tensile properties determined from these methods.

Size effect on the fracture of sintered porous nano-silver joints: Experiments and Weibull analysis

Nano-silver paste is a promising alternative of high temperature solder material for the next generation electronic devices, which is composed of organic solvent and silver nanoparticles/sheets. The mechanical properties of nano-silver interconnections are essential for the bonding between chip and substrate by sintering. During sintering process, volatilization and combustion of organic solvent in nano-silver paste lead to development of abundant voids in the joint, forming a three-dimensional network structure, which has strong influence on the mechanical properties. Sintering temperature and cross section area can affect the distribution of voids in solder joint. In the current study, effects of sintering temperature (200 °C, 250 °C, 300 °C) on the tensile and shear failure strength of sintered nano-silver joints were investigated, the size effect caused by different cross section area (i.e. (0.5, 1, 2, 3) × 5 mm2) was studied. The volatilization of organic solvent in nano-silver paste is the main reason for the porosity diversity, and the difference of porosity is one of the key factors causing size effect. It also leads to dispersion of experimental data of failure strength, thus, statistical analysis was performed to the experimental data. Four universal estimators and Weibull distributions were adopted to analyze the tensile and shear failure strength of sintered nano-silver joints. Based on the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman model, the critical porosity equation of fracture was developed. Furthermore, the relationship between critical porosity and size effect was established considering porosity increases with the increasing of cross section area, and a modified Weibull model containing size effect was proposed, which showed good agreement compared with the experimental data.

Particle surface effects on the spall strength of particle-reinforced polymer matrix composites

Prior research has observed that the presence of secondary phases in metal alloys influence the failure behaviour of the bulk material, a response which varies based on secondary phase morphology and adhesion to the matrix material. Particle-reinforced polymer composites offer a material system in which variations in adhesion between the sub-phase and polymer matrix can be manipulated with relative ease. In the present study, we investigate the influence of both the particle morphology and matrix-particle interface adhesion on the spall strength of particle-reinforced polymer composites. Adhesion control was achieved using a adhesion-impeding silane treatment of the surface of micron-sized alumina particles. The composites were characterized based on their dynamic tensile (spall) failure strengths. The results showed that while particle morphology effects were minimal, the loss of surface adhesion resulted in a drastic reduction in spall strength. Fractography performed on the fracture surface of the recovered samples showed evidence of poor wetting in the silane-treated composites, confirming the role of particle adhesion in moderating this failure mode.

Brazilian disc test study on tensile strength-weakening effect of high pre-loaded red sandstone under dynamic disturbance

Tensile failure (spalling or slabbing) often occurs on the sidewall of deep tunnel, which is closely related to the coupled stress state of deep rock mass under high pre-static load and dynamic disturbance. To reveal the mechanism of rock tensile failure caused by this coupled stress mode, the Brazilian disc tests were carried on red sandstone under high pre-static load induced by dynamic disturbance. Based on the pure static tensile fracture load of red sandstone specimen, two static load levels (80% and 90% of the pure static tensile fracture load) were selected as the initial high pre-static loading state, and then the dynamic disturbance load was applied until the rock specimen was destroyed. The dynamic disturbance loading mode adopted a sinusoidal wave (sine-wave) load, and the loading wave amplitude was 20% and 10% of the pure static tensile fracture load, respectively. The dynamic disturbance frequencies were set to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 Hz. The results show that the tensile failure strength and peak displacement of red sandstone specimens under coupled load actions are lower than those under pure static tensile load, and both parameters decrease significantly with the increase of dynamic disturbance frequency. With the increase of dynamic disturbance frequency, the decrease range of tensile strength of red sandstone increased from 3.3% to 9.4% when the pre-static load level is 80%. While when the pre-static load level is 90%, the decrease range will increase from 7.4% to 11.6%. This weakening effect of tensile strength shows that the deep surrounding rock is more likely to fail under the coupled load actions of pre-static load and dynamic disturbance. In this tensile failure mechanism of the deep surrounding rock, the stress environment of deep sidewall rock determines that the failure mode of rock is a tensile failure, the pre-static load level dominates the tensile failure strength of surrounding rock, and dynamic disturbance promotes the strength-weakening effect and affects the weakening range.

Hydrostatic Test and Simulation Verification of Pipeline with Carbon Fiber Repair

We specially designed a hydraulic blasting test for the repair capability of carbon fiber composite materials on pipelines containing defects. In the water pressure test, the location of the pipeline pressure rupture did not appear in the repair area, and the amount of pipeline deformation in the repair area was small. A finite element simulation of the compression process was carried out. After simulation verification, it was found that the ultimate pressures of the two were basically the same, and in the limit state, the stress value of the carbon fiber composite material in the repair area did not exceed its tensile failure strength. It is concluded that carbon fiber composite materials can effectively repair pipeline defects and restore the pressure bearing capacity of the defects.

Primary Investigation on an Iron Foam Sandwich Structure

Firstly, the slurry coating process was carried out for the polymer foam, and then the coated foam was sintered at 1160–1400 °C to yield a reticular iron foam with the pore size of 0.5–2.0 mm and porosity of 75%–95%. After this, an iron foam sandwich structure was further obtained by thermal diffusion combination of the iron foam with the stainless steel sheet treated by a surface activation. The bonding strength of the metal face-sheet and the porous core was examined by testing three samples from sintering at 1300 °C and two samples from sintering at 1160 °C. The results show that the core of the sandwich structure is well metallurgically bonded with the metal face-sheet for the sample from sintering at 1300 °C for 2 h and can not for that from sintering at 1160 °C for the same period. The analysis reveals the vacuum degree of the present sintering system (i.e., the system pressure at room temperature is less than 5 × 10−2 Pa, and the maximum pressure may be up to 20–40 Pa during the high temperature sintering) can well prevent the oxidation of metal iron in the high temperature process of heat treatment. The face-sheet/foam-core bonding state in the sandwich structure is investigated, and the bonding strength is found to be higher than the tensile failure strength of the core foam itself.

A novel generalized stress invariant-based strength model for inter-layer failure of FFF 3D printing PLA material

As an inherent defect of Fused Filament Fabrication 3D printing materials, the occurrence of inter-layer failure reduces the tensile failure strength significantly. To better understand this defect and improve the mechanical properties of FFF 3D printing materials and structures, the distribution and basic mechanical principles of inter-layer failure are explored in detail in this study. Tensile experiments of a wide range of layer thicknesses (0.1 mm to 0.6 mm) and printing angles (0° to 90°) are carried out to find the distribution range and features of inter-layer failure. Additionally, a novel generalized strength model is established to predict the tensile failure strength of inter-layer failure of FFF 3D printing PLA material. Experimental results show that the distribution range of inter-layer failure increases significantly as the layer thickness increases from 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm, and inter-layer failure tends to occur when the printing angle and the tensile failure strength are small. All the Root Mean Square (RMS) error between theoretical results and experimental data of tensile failure strength of inter-layer failure are less than 10%. Therefore, the theoretical model established in this study has the ability to predict the tensile failure strength of inter-layer failure of FFF 3D printing PLA material accurately.

Deriving unidirectional lamina properties from testing on cylindrical laminated specimens

The present work aims to derive the mechanical properties of a unidirectional (UD) lamina from experimentally measured properties of non-flat (cylindrical) laminated specimens. The specimens were cut from carbon fiber-epoxy tubes having cross-ply and angle-ply layup configurations. Special tests were designed and applied on these specimens to measure the mechanical properties of the laminate, Ex, Ey, νxy, Gxy, as well as tensile and shear failure strength. By using the classical laminate theory (CLT), the mechanical properties of UD lamina, E1, E2, ν12 and G12 were expressed explicitly as functions of the measured properties of the cross-ply laminate and in form of effective mechanical properties of general lamination configuration like the angle-ply layup. A new shear test fixture was designed in order to obtain the in-plane shear modulus and shear strength of ring-shaped composite specimens. This shear test fixture has proved to be advantageous, especially when one bears in mind that there are very few shear test methods for cylindrical components. The outcomes of this work would be useful for material characterization and quality control when standard flat coupons are not available.

Tensile strength of multi-angle composite laminate scarf joints with FEM

This study focus on the tensile strength of angle-ply composite laminate scarf joints and corresponding finite element modelling (FEM) methods. Tensile tests are performed at 25°C and 75°C on scarf joint specimens with unidirectional laminate stacking sequences. The joint tensile strength result values at 75°C represent around 86% of those obtained at 25°C. The tensile test is simulated with finite element modelling including cohesive elements to model failure. The joint adhesive film is represented either with only full thickness cohesive elements, or with thin or zero-thickness cohesive elements combined with solid elements having a plastic adhesive material model. Simulations results show that in the case of a unidirectional laminate, the adhesive modelling method had less than 1% effect on the simulated tensile failure strength. For quasi-isotropic laminates with a given ply angle count but of varying ply order, the simulated tensile failure strength varies up to 15%, which confirms tendencies reported in the literature.