Mixed mode cohesive law

Atraction-separation relation tomodel the fracture process is presented. The cohesive law captures the linear elastic and softening behaviour prior to fracture. It also allows for different fracture parameters, such as fracture energy, strength and critical separation in different mode mixities. Thus, the fracture process in mode I (peel), in mode II (shear) or in mixed mode (a combination of peel and shear) can be modelled without the limitation of a common fracture energy in peel and shear. Examples are given in form of FEimplementations of the normalised cohesive law, namely for the Unsymmetrical Double Cantilever Beam (UDCB) specimen and the Mixed-mode double Cantilever Beam (MCB) specimen. Both specimens are adhesively bonded and loaded in mixed-mode.