A closed-form solution to statically indeterminate adhesive joint problems—exemplified on ELS-specimens

A beam/adhesive-layer model is developed. For this model a closed-form solution method applicable to arbitrary boundary conditions is presented. This enables the solution of a large number of practical problems which may be statically indeterminate. The stress state in the adhesive layer and the adherends of the beam/adhesive-layer model is also scrutinized. The method is exemplified in an analysis of the end-loaded split (ELS) specimen, commonly used to determine fracture energies of adhesive layers. The effect of the flexibility of the adhesive layer on the energy release rate and the critical crack length for stable crack growth is examined. Both symmetric and unsymmetric ELS-specimens are studied.