Fatigue Response of the Hybrid Joints Obtained by Hot Spot Welding and Bonding Techniques

Abstract

Hybrid joining of structural parts (e.g. [3-1) is relatively new approach to create more safe and reliable connection of the critical part of engineering structures. In this paper we consider hybrid joint consisting of 2 aluminum stripes and an angle bar (e.g. [7]) joined by 2 simple techniques: hot spot welding (HSW) and adhesive bonding (AB). The samples were subjected to fatigue tests in order to find fatigue response at different level of load amplitude. New method of plastic deformation measurement during fatigue was proposed with application of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method. Numerical analysis of the hybrid joint fatigue response was proposed in the paper taking into account both: gradual degradation of the bonding layer and plastic damage in the aluminium strips due to cyclic loading.