Stiffness prediction of the double lap shear joint. Part1: Analytical solution

This paper presents an analytical solution for the in-plane stiffness response of adhesively bonded double lap shear (DLS) joints. The solution was first derived for a model with the consideration of shear deformation of the adhesive (Model 1) and then was extended to two other simplified models, where the adhesive was modeled as matrix of rigid links (Model 2) or as a line of rigid links (Model 3). Models 2 and 3 represent two common types of simplifications in current finite element structural analysis of bonded joints. The solution for Model 1 was verified with test results. Errors resulting from the simplifications of Models 2 and 3 were estimated. The effect of joint geometries and material properties on the joint stiffness was investigated through a parametric study of the solution for Model 1.