The strength of adhesively bonded T-joints

Although there has been much attention given to lap-shear joints, sheet metal joining often involves complex loading and designs. In this investigation, the strength of 90° T-joints was measured for a range of reinforcing methods. A commercial, aluminium-filled structural epoxy adhesive was used and the sheet was prepared by grit blasting. eel in the joints exhibited significant plastic deformation before failure of the adhesive. This was especially evident in the base or ‘horizontal’ portion of the ‘T’. By increasing the thickness of the base, the joint strength was increased. There were also considerable differences in strength between the different methods of jointing, using gusset plates, angles, and so on. actical importance of these results is considerable and there are many lessons to be imparted to the designer of bonded sheet steelwork. Comparisons were also made with a welded or brazed joint, so as to give a target for structural efficiency.