Adhesive joint modeling using compatible element formulation

The use of structural adhesives in automotive structures has been increased recently for their role in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Therefore, the dynamic behavior of structures containing bonded joints has become an area with numerous investigations overthe past decades. Development of accurate formulations capable of representing adhesively bonded joint dynamics is a step forward in constructing the numerical models for one of the most useful kinds ofjoints in industry. Analysis of the adhesive layer between the two parts requires special assumptions which leads to using nonlinear andthree dimensional models. Obtaining shape functions for an adhesiveelement by using finite element (F.E.) theory is a complicated and difficult task to do. The complexity is increased when it is assumedthat the adhesive element is compatible with the plate element. In thispaper, a new finite element formulation is developed for the adhesive layer which does not rely on shape functions and is compatible withthe plate element. The accuracy of the proposed element is evaluated by using numerical and experimental results