Meshless Fracture Mechanics Approach to Mixed-Mode Crack Growth in Adhesively Bonded Lap Joints
摘要
Numerical simulation of adhesively bonded joints is a demanding challenge in engineering, especially in mixed-mode fracture applications, due to the intricate stress fields and complex interface treatment. A wide variety of numerical techniques are available, yet, meshless methods allow the discretization of the problem domain uniquely in a set of unstructured field nodes, allowing to expedite the local remeshing algorithm, reduce stress concentration inaccuracies, and increase nodal connectivity established by influence domains. Hereby, we present the application of a meshless technique to predict fracture propagation in Single Lap Joints (SLJ) and Double Lap Joints (DLJ). Stress Intensity Factors (SIF) are calculated using the Interaction Integral within a contour around the crack tip. Energy release rates can then be obtained, allowing the implementation of a mixed-mode energy criterion. The meshless analyses results are compared with experimental data of SLJ and DLJ tests, in addition to conventional Finite Element Analyses (FEA), defining the suitability of the proposed meshless crack propagation algorithm to predict fracture propagation in adhesive joints.