• Composites Research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.45-53
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• 2003

The experimental and numerical investigations on the failure characteristics of the secondary bonded composite single-lap joints were performed. The initiations and growths of cracks were observed using CCD camera and acoustic emission sensor during the tension tests of the joint specimens. The structural behaviors of the specimens were predicted by the geometric nonlinear two-dimensional finite element analysis. The three types of observed initial cracks were included in each finite element models and the strain energy release rates of each specimen models were calculated by VCCT(Virtual Crack Closure Technique) technique. The tension tests showed that the initial cracks occurred in the 60∼90% of final failure loads and the major failure modes of the specimens were adhesive failure and the delamination between the 1st and 2nd ply of laminate. The specimens with the thicker bondline had earlier crack initiation loads but higher crack propagation resistance and eventually better loading capability. The delaminations were mostly observed in the thicker bondline specimens. The mode I values of calculated strain energy release rates were higher than the mode II values in the all specimen models considering the three types of initial cracks. The mode I and total strain energy release rates were calculated as higher values in the order of initial crack in the edge interface, comer interface and delamination between the plies of laminate.