Effect of Laminate Tapering on Strain Distribution in Adhesive Joints: Experimental Investigation

Abstract

Strain distribution in adhesive joints with untapered and normal-tapered laminates has been investigated using an experimental method. An optic measurement system, ARAMIS, was used to monitor the strain field in the adhesive layer. The results indicated that normal tapering of the laminate did not affect the shear and principal strain components, but it increased the maximum peeling strain in the joint for the tapering length examined in this study. The strength and failure mode of joints were also studied. It was found that normal tapering of the laminate did not improve the strength of the joint in comparison to joints with untapered laminates. Failure took place at the steel—adhesive interface in both configurations.