Strength Evaluation of Asymmetric Single Lap Joints : 1st Report, Effects of the Adherend Thickness

Abstract

The deformation and strength of single lap joins having different thicknesses of adherends were investigated both analytically and experimentally. The strain distributions of the joints of carbon steel bonded with epoxy resin under tensile shear loading were analyzed by the finite element method. The strength of the joints was predicted by applying the strength laws for adherend, adhesive layer and their interfaces to the calculated stress distributions. The calculated strain distributions in the joints were in good agreement with the experimental observations. The predicted strengths of the joints were close to the measured values by experiments. On the basis of the results obtained, the effect of the adherend thickness on the joint strength is discussed.