Parametric study of size, curvature and free edge effects on the predicted strength of bonded composite joints

This paper presents the effects of size, curvature and free edges of laboratory lap joints on the debond fracture behaviour of joints that more realistically represent fuselage skin structures than conventional flat, narrow specimens. Finite Element Analysis is used in conjunction with Cohesive Zone Modelling (CZM) to predict the strength of selected joint features. The modelling approach was verified by simple single lap joint geometry. Four...