Computer aided adhesive and assembly optimization method: Biomimetic optimization of adhesive joints

Abstract

Over millions of years, natural constructions have been developed by evolutionary processes in nature with the general aim to generate high-performance structures with minimum material consumption. It is well known that one of the major strategies is to reach a largely homogeneous material load in the biological structure. In this paper, we demonstrate that this natural design principal applies not only to the macroscopic level but also to microstructural optimization, and in particular, to adhesive joints in nature. Furthermore, we introduce the computer aided adhesive and assembly optimization method (CA3O), which transfers the natural mechanically stimulated growth processes to technical adhesive joints by means of the finite element method.