Progressive fracture of adhesively bonded composite structures

Progressive damage and fracture of adhesively bonded graphite/epoxy composi te structures are evaluated via computational simulation. Load induced dama ge in both the adhesive bond and the adjoining laminate is considered. An i ntegrated computer code is used for the simulation of structural degradatio n under loading. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation t o fracture are included in the simulations. Results show in detail the dama ge progression sequence and structural fracture resistance during different degradation stages. Design implications with regard to damage tolerance of adhesively bonded joints are examined. Influence of the type of loading as well as adhesive thickness on damage initiation and progression for an adh esively bonded composite structure are investigated. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.