STRESS SINGULARITIES AND FRACTURE AT INTERFACE CORNERS IN BONDED JOINTS

The singular stresses at interface corners in bonded lap joints were examined. A generalized stress intensity factor was defined and used for the prediction of failure in some single-lap joint geometries. It is shown how the singular terms in the power expansion of the stress field, assuming linear elasticity, close to the singularity are determined and how they are used for the prediction of fracture. The finite element method was used for the determination of the generalized stress intensity factors. Predicted fracture loads were compared with test results.