80011

ELASTIC STRESSES IN THE ADHESIVE IN SINGLE STEP DOUBLE LAP BONDED

JOINTS

1. NOTATION

Ea modulus of elasticity of adhesive material N/m 2 lbf/in2

E1, E2 moduli of elasticity of materials of adherends 1 and 2, N/m2 lbf/in2

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respectively (see Sketch 1.1)

f1, f2 maximum direct stresses in adhesive material, normal to plane N/m2 lbf/in2
of joint near ends of adherends 1 and 2, respectively
Ga shear modulus of adhesive material N/m2 lbf/in2

L length of joint overlap (see Sketch 1.1) m in

qmax maximum value of shear stress in adhesive N/m2 lbf/in2

T end load on joint per unit width (see Sketch 1.1) N/m lbf/in
ta thickness of adhesive layer (see Sketch 1.1) m in

t1 thickness of outer adherends 1 (see Sketch 1.1) m in

t2 semi-thickness of inner adherend 2 (see Sketch 1.1) m in

parameter for use with figures

Ga t1 E 1 t 1 1/2
= ------------ 1 + -----------
E1 ta E 2 t 2

Both SI and British Units are quoted but any coherent system of units may be used.

Sketch 1.1

Issued August 1980

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  80011
2. NOTES

This Item presents curves that enable the peak elastic stresses to be determined in the adhesives in single
step, double lap bonded joints loaded in tension or compression. Figure 1 gives the maximum shear stress,
qmax, in the adhesive and Figures 2 to 7 give the maximum direct stresses, f1 and f2, in the adhesive for
particular values of Ea/Ga. The theory assumes that the adhesive material is isotropic; for non-isotropic
materials the value of Ea should be taken as that in the direction normal to the plane of the joint.

The shear stresses and direct (normal) stresses in the adhesive both reach peaks close to the ends of each
adherend. When E 2 t 2 /E 1 t 1 > 1 the maximum shear stresses occur close to the end of adherend 2. When
E 2 t 2 /E 1 t 1 < 1 the maximum shear stresses occur close to the end of adherend 1. Under a tensile applied
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load the maximum tensile direct (normal) stress will always be f1, close to the end of adherend 1. The
corresponding stress at the end of adherend 2, f2, will always be compressive. If a compressive load is
applied to the joint the signs of these stresses will be reversed.

The data are based on the elastic flexible joint analysis of Derivation 2 which disregards the shear distortion
of the adherends in comparison with that of the adhesive. This assumption may be invalid for fibre reinforced
plastics and similar materials; also, in practice, the adhesive is likely to behave in an inelastic manner. For
both these reasons the stresses are likely to be less than those given by the curves. The influence of the
inelastic shear properties of adhesives on bonded joints is considered in ESDU Item Nos 78042 and 79016.
Many factors affect the cohesive strength of the adhesive and its adhesion to the adherends, including
thermal and environmental effects, the method of bonding, curing and surface preparation. These factors
should be taken into account in any assessment of the strength of the joint.

3. DERIVATION

1. GOLAND, M. Stresses in cemented joints. J. appl. Mech., Trans. am. Soc. mech. Engrs,
REISSNER, E. Vol.66, pp.A17-A27, March 1944.
2. GRANT, P. Strength and stress analysis of bonded joints. British Aircraft
Corporation Ltd, Rep. SOR(P) 109, March 1976.

4. EXAMPLE

It is required to find the maximum shear and tensile stresses in the adhesive bonding a single step, double
lap joint subjected to a tensile load of 200 N/mm. The joint has a length of 20 mm and the thicknesses of
the outer and inner adherends are 1.2 mm and 3.0 mm, respectively. The modulus of elasticity of the outer
adherend is 110 000 N/mm2 while that of the inner adherend is 70 000 N/mm2. The adhesive is 0.15 mm
thick with a modulus of elasticity of 5000 N/mm2 and a shear modulus of 1000 N/mm2.

From the given data

Ea 5000
------- = ------------ = 5.0
Ga 1000

2
  80011
E2 t2 70000 1.5
----------- = ----------------------------------- = 0.8,
E1 t1 110000 1.2
Ea t1 5000 1.2
----------
- = -------------------------------------- = 0.364 ,
E1 ta 110000 0.15
Ga t1 1000 1.2
------------ = -------------------------------------- = 0.073 ,
E1 ta 110000 0.15
L 20
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---- = ------- = 16.7,

t1 1.2
1/2

0.073 1 + -------
1
= = 0.405
0.8
L
and therefore ------- = 0.405 16.7 = 6.76 .
t1

The maximum shear stress is obtained from Figure 1.

From Figure 1 when E 2 t 2 / E 1 t 1 = 0.8 , G a t 1 / E 1 t a = 0.073 and L / t 1 = 6.76

q max t 1
----------------- = 0.263
T
0.263 200 0.405
so that q ma x = ---------------------------------------------------
1.2
= 17.8 N/mm2.

The maximum tensile stress for a joint under tension, when E a / G a = 5.0 is obtained from Figure 3.

From Figure 3 when E 2 t 2 / E 1 t 1 = 0.8 , E a t 1 / E 1 t a = 0.364 and L / t 1 = 16.7

f1 t1
--------- = 0.09
T
0.09 200
so that f 1 = ---------------------------
1.2
= 15.0 N/mm2.

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  80011
0.70
qmax close to end qmax close to end
of adherend 1 of adherend 2
0.65
L
t1
0.60
}1.00
0.55
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0.50 } 1.25

0.45 } 1.50

#
2.00
0.40
qmax t1
5.00
T 0.35
#
0.30

0.25

0.20

Ga t1
0.15
E1 Ta

0.01
0.10
0.10

1.00
0.05

0.00
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

E2t2
E1t1

FIGURE 1 MAXIMUM SHEAR STRESS

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0.6
0.25
L
t1
Ea
= 2.5
8 Ga E2t2
0.5
E1t1
15

0.5
0.4

f1 t1
T
0.3
1.0
5

0.2

2.0

0.1
4.0

0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Ea t1

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E1 ta

FIGURE 2 MAXIMUM NORMAL TENSILE STRESS IN ADHESIVE (AT END OF ADHEREND 1) FOR JOINTS IN TENSION
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0.6

L E2t2
t1
Ea E1t1
= 5.0
8 Ga
0.5 0.25
15

0.4

0.5
f1 t1
T
0.3
6

1.0
0.2

2.0

0.1
4.0

0.0

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0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
E a t1
E 1 ta

FIGURE 3 MAXIMUM NORMAL TENSILE STRESS IN ADHESIVE (AT END OF ADHEREND 1) FOR JOINTS IN TENSION
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0.6

L
t1
Ea
= 10.0
8 Ga
0.5
15 E2t2
E1t1

0.25
0.4

f1 t1
T
0.3
0.5
7

0.2
1.0

2.0
0.1

4.0

0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0

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Ea t1
E1 ta

FIGURE 4 MAXIMUM NORMAL TENSILE STRESS IN ADHESIVE (AT END OF ADHEREND 1) FOR JOINTS IN TENSION
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4.0
0.35

L 2.0
t1
Ea
= 2.5 E2t2
8 Ga
0.30
E1t1
15

1.0

0.25

0.5
0.20

f2 t1
T
8

0.15
0.25

0.10

0.05

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0.00
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
E a t1
E 1 ta

FIGURE 5 MAXIMUM NORMAL TENSILE STRESS IN ADHESIVE (AT END OF ADHEREND 2) FOR JOINTS IN COMPRESSION
 ESDU product issue: 2007-02. For current status, contact ESDU. Observe Copyright.


0.35

L
t1
Ea
= 5.0 4.0
8 Ga
0.30
15
2.0

0.25

1.0

E2t2
0.20 E1t1

f2 t1
0.5
T
9

0.15

0.25

0.10

0.05

0.00

80011
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 Ea t1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
E1 ta

FIGURE 6 MAXIMUM NORMAL TENSILE STRESS IN ADHESIVE (AT END OF ADHEREND 2) FOR JOINTS IN COMPRESSION
 ESDU product issue: 2007-02. For current status, contact ESDU. Observe Copyright.


0.30

L
t1
Ea
= 10.0
8 Ga
0.25
4.0
15

2.0
E2t2
0.20 E1t1

f2 t1 1.0
T

0.15
0.5
10

0.10 0.25

0.05

0.00

80011
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Ea t1
E1 ta

FIGURE 7 MAXIMUM NORMAL TENSILE STRESS IN ADHESIVE (AT END OF ADHEREND 2) FOR JOINTS IN COMPRESSION
  80011
THE PREPARATION OF THIS DATA ITEM

The work on this particular Item was monitored and guided by the Aerospace Structures Committee which
has the following constitution:

Chairman
Prof. J.G. ten Asbroek Fokker-VFW N.V., Schiphol-Oost, Netherlands

Vice-Chairman
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Mr K.H. Griffin Cranfield Institute of Technology

Members
Dr P. Bartholomew Royal Aircraft Establishment
Dr T.W. Coombe British Aerospace, Weybridge-Bristol Division
Mr H.L. Cox Independent
Prof. W.S. Hemp University of Oxford
Dr W. Lansing* Grumman Aerospace Corp., Bethpage, NY, USA
Mr K.R. Obee British Aerospace, Hatfield-Lostock Division
Mr I.C. Taig British Aerospace, Warton Division
Mr C.W. Taylor British Aerospace, Kingston-upon-Thames
Mr F. Tyson British Aerospace, Scottish Division
Mr K. van Katwijk* European Space Agency, Noordwijk, Netherlands.
*
Corresponding Member

The work on this Item was carried out in the Strength Analysis Group of ESDU under the supervision of
Mr M.E. Grayley, Group Head. The member of staff who undertook the technical work involved in the
initial assessment of the available information and the construction and subsequent development of the
Item was

Mr R.L. Penning Senior Engineer.

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