Single lap joints loaded in tension with ductile steel adherends

In the first part of this study, single lap joints in many different geometric and material configurations were tested in tension with high strength steel adherends. In the present paper, low strength steel adherends (mild steel and medium carbon steel) have been studied experimentally and numerically. Geometric parameters such as the overlap length and the adherend thickness, together with material parameters such as the adhesive stress–strain behaviour, were all tested. The mechanisms and modes of failure were observed for different cases, and positions of damage initiation were identified. Contrarily to the joints with high strength steel, it is found that the failure mechanism in this case is dictated by adherend yielding.