Numerical Tensile Loading Evaluation of Scarfed Adhesively-Bonded Joints Using the Extended Finite Element Method

Abstract

Although scarf adhesive joints have already been studied in the literature, the number of studies that analyse different geometries and adhesives is still scarce, as is the validation of robust and reliable numerical techniques for the design of structures with this type of joints, which enable its application in structural projects. The objective of this work is the parametric numerical study of scarf adhesive joints in tension with different adhesives (Araldite^® AV138, Araldite^® 2015 and Sikaforce^® 7752) and different scarf angles or \(\alpha\) (3.43°, 10 °, 15°, 20°, 30° and 45°) by the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM). The developed numerical work includes the distribution of the damage variable and joint strength. The adhesive Araldite^® AV138 presents the best tensile behaviour, regardless of the \(\alpha\) value. It was considered that the XFEM can be accurately used to design scarf adhesive joints.