Three-dimensional numerical analysis of tubular adhesive joints under torsional loads

Abstract

Abstract Bonding method using adhesives has gained a lot of presence in the design of mechanical structures in several industries, especially in the aeronautics and automobile industry. Bonded joints are widely used to join tubular components, in vehicle frames like aeroplanes and automobiles. For the design process of these joints, analytical or numerical predictive techniques can be used. This work performs a numerical study in order to evaluate the torsional performance of aluminium tubular adhesive joints (AW6082-T651), considering the variation of the main geometric parameters, such as overlap length (L O) and tubes’ thickness. In order to predict the strength, the Finite Element Method (FEM) was used with Cohesive Zone Models (CZM), whose analysis based itself on the internal stresses of the adhesive, namely the analysis of shear stress (τxy) and joint strength, measured by the maximum torsional moment (M m). Previously, validation with experimental data was carried out. The technique was positively validated, and a significant geometry on M m was found, except for L O.