A three-dimensional finite-element stress analysis and strength evaluation of stepped-lap adhesive joints subjected to static tensile loadings

Stress distributions in stepped-lap adhesive joints subjected to static tensile loadings are analyzed using three-dimensional finite-element calculations. For establishing an optimum design method of the joints, the effects of the adhesive Youngʹs modulus, adhesive thickness and number of steps on the interface stress distributions are examined. The results show that the maximum value of the maximum principal stress σ1 occurs at the edge of the adhesive interfaces. The maximum value of the stress σ1 decreases as the adhesive Youngʹs modulus and number of steps increase and as the adhesive thickness decreases under static loadings. A method for estimating the joint strength under static loadings is proposed using interface stress distributions. For verification of the finite-element method calculations, experiments were carried out to measure the strains and the joint strengths under static loadings. Fairly good agreements were found between the numerical and the experimental results.