Modeling and parameter calibration of an adhesive layer at the meso level

A mesomechanical finite element model of a thin adhesive layer is developed. The model is calibrated to previously performed experiments. In these, the adhesive layer is loaded in monotonically increasing peel or shear. An in situ SEM study is also performed and used to guide the modeling and calibration. The purpose of the mesomechanical finite element model is to facilitate the development of constitutive laws for adhesive layers. The modeling is based on Xu and Needleman’s method where all continuum finite elements are surrounded by interface elements that allow for the development of micro cracks. Thus, this enables the modeling of the entire process of degradation and fracture of the adhesive layer. A genetic algorithm is developed for the calibration. The simulations show good agreement with the experiments.