A new method for the determination of bending moments in single lap joints

This paper presents a new method of determining bending moments at the overlap ends of single lap joints. It is based on the assumption that the overlap region does not deform under load. This assumption is supported by the observation that for an overlap of up to 50 mm, the large deformations occur only at the ends of the overlap. Physical insight into the mechanics of the overlap region shows that the rotation is merely a geometric effect, which helps alignment of the load path during the loading process.Examples show that the method proposed here is better than those of the Goland and Reissner and of the Hart-Smith for overlaps up to 25 mm long. It is more useful for unbalanced joints, where Goland and Reissner's method fails to work and Hart-Smith's method involves difficult mathematics. This method may also be easily extended to deal with non-linearities in the adherend.