Finite element and experimental studies on single-lap balanced joints in tension

Adhesively bonded balanced single-lap joints have been studied using finite element analysis and verified either experimentally or theoretically. In the finite element method, a geometrically nonlinear two-dimensional method was applied using ANSYS code Version 5.3. The effects of (i) plane strain and plane stress conditions; (ii) simply supported and fully fixed boundary conditions at the adherend ends; (iii) filleted and unfilleted overlap end geometries; and (iv) two different adhesive materials on the bending moment factor, k, and the adhesive stresses have been evaluated. The finite element simulations were compared with experimental results only for the filleted joint bonded with a relatively flexible adhesive. The results for unfilleted joints bonded with flexible and rigid adhesives were compared with the analytical solution proposed by Oplinger.