In this study, the cohesive failure of the adhesive layer of an adhesively-bonded joint under uniaxial tensile loads in static conditions is discussed as an approximation to the behaviour of adhesively-bonded repairs. A three-dimensional finite-element model of a single-lap joint was developed using the commercial code Abaqus. Cohesive Zone Models (CZM) coupled to Finite Element Analysis, were used to study the failure strength of the joint. They allowed the prediction of the initiation of the crack and its growth. CZM are governed by a traction-separation law, which can acquire different shapes. The numerical model, considering a linear cohesive law, was validated with 2D numerical and experimental results available in the literature. The effect of different cohesive law shapes, such as exponential and trapezoidal, on the failure load of the joint was studied. In addition, a cohesive parametric analysis was performed, varying the adhesive toughness and cohesive strength. The most suitable cohesive law was the trapezoidal, since the failure load results were close to the experimental data taken from the literature. The cohesive strength is identified as the most influential parameter on the studied variable.The authors are indebted for the financial support of this work to the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain (project DPI2013 42240 R)

7 pages, 11 figuresThe dynamic flexural behaviour of sandwich beams, with composite face-sheets and a foam core, was analysed by developing a 3D finite-element model. To model the core behaviour, a crushable foam model was used. The Hou criteria were used to predict the failure of the face-sheets. Dynamic bending tests were performed to validate the numerical model. The comparison between numerical and experimental results in terms of contact-force histories, peak-force values, absorbed energy, and maximum displacement of both face-sheets was satisfactory. It was revealed that the collapse of the foam core under the impact region favoured the failure of the upper face-sheet.The authors are indebted to the Autonomous Community of Madrid and University Carlos III of Madrid (Project CCG08 UC3M/DPI 4348) for the financial support of this work.Publicad

The effect of adhesive thickness and adherent overlap on behavior of composite single-lap joints (SLJ) under tensile load is studied by using a 3D finite-element model. A bilinear Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) law is used to represent the adhesive behavior and its parameters are determined as a function of adhesive thickness by carrying out Double Cantilever Beam and End-Notched Flexure tests. The performance of SLJ is defined by peak load, maximum shear, and peel stresses. For the range of adhesive thicknesses considered, both maximum shear and peel stresses decrease with increasing adhesive thickness, while they increase with increasing overlap length.