Design of adhesive-bonded structure solutions, contribution of the modelling of the adhesive

Abstract

Finite element modelling of adhesive joints has been analysed in this work, applying the results and conclusions of the design process of a multi-material base of an elevator. The main approach of the study has been the modelling of the adhesive joint, different parameters and its application in complex models. For that purpose, a case study has been carried out in a simply supported plate model. Several modelling techniques have been analysed and design recommendations have been proposed. Characterization of composite materials and adhesives has also been studied, given the fact that the anisotropy of the composites is an additional difficulty in the Finite Element Analysis. Having the real properties of these materials is a very important factor for efectiveness in terms of economical and computational cost. The correlation of simulation and experimental results has been analysed in the practical case study and the contribution of the adhesive modelling has been studied. To conclude, the importance of the material characterization and the sensitiveness to the variation of their properties are to be mentioned. The work offers the designer several recommendations on adhesive joint modelling as well as parameters that might affect the analysis of a structure that contains adhesive bonding.

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