Modelling of Bonded Tubular Scarf Joints by the Cohesive Zone Approach

Tubular adhesive connections are mostly subjected to axial or torsional loads. Under axial loads, tubular lap joints (TLJ) lead to peak stresses in the adhesive identically to single-lap joints. An alternative to mitigate peak stresses is to consider a tubular scarf joint (TSJ). This joint enables joining tubes with identical diameters, and the chamfer geometry provides a large bonding area, if the scarf angle (a) is sufficiently small. The proposed work is mainly numerical, and it addresses the tensile behaviour of TSJ between aluminium alloy adherends, and a between 45° and 3.43°, considering different adhesive types. Initial validation of the cohesive zone model (CZM) is accomplished by comparing experimental and numerical data of TLJ. The numerical CZM study that follows addresses the failure path and maximum load (Pm), as a function of a and the adhesive type. The CZM was successfully validated, and clear guidelines were found regarding the best a and adhesive combinations.