Experimental and numerical analysis of adhesively-bonded T joints under peel loads

Within the scope of adhesively-bonded joints, one of the joint types having industrial application is the T-joint, for example, in marine applications (joining of panels to the hull and connecting the glass-fibre composite hull with anti-flood panels) and aeronautical applications (wing panels, fuselage sections). This work aims to experimentally and numerically study, by cohesive zone models (CZM), the behaviour of T-joints under peel loads. The experimentally evaluated adhesives are the Araldite® AV138 (high ultimate strength but brittle) and Araldite® 2015 (less stress to failure but ductile and more flexible). The joint strength is evaluated with different L-shaped adherends' thickness (tP2). With the numerical analysis, the stress distributions and strength are studied. The experimental tests validated the numerical results and showed that CZM is an accurate technique for the study of T-joints. It was also shown that the geometry of the L-parts and the type of adhesive have a direct influence on the joint strength.