Tensile strength of composite double-lap joint

An experimental and analytical study on ultimate tensile strength of composite double-lap joints with different adhesive thicknesses is employed in the paper, test results indicate the major failure mode of joints is adhesive shear failure and the ultimate strength of joints increasing with thicker adhesive. Analytical model is developed to investigate the adhesive failure of double-lap joint based on the experiments. The model takes into account anisotropy of each ply in the composite laminates and elastic-perfectly plastic behavior of the adhesive in the joints. The validity of analytical model for calculating shear strain/stress distribution is certified by comparing with finite model results. Maximum shear strain criterion is adopted in the analytical model to predict the ultimate tensile load of double-lap joint. Good agreement of the analytical predictions with the experimental results is obtained.