Applicability of VCCT in mode I loading of yielding adhesively bonded joints—a case study

Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) is a fracture analysis method that is typically utilised when plastic dissipation does not exist. This paper studies the applicability of VCCT for crack growth analyses of an adhesively bonded joint with a ductile adhesive and self-similar crack growth. Analyses were performed for a Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimen with epoxy adhesive. Reference data for the analysis case existed. The precrack cycle of...