Meso-Mechanical Modeling of Thin Adhesive Layers

Sammanfattning: A thin adhesive layer is analyzed using a representative volume element (RVE). The RVE is comprised by, both continuum and interfacial finite elements. The interface elements allow for crack initiation and crack propagation. To obtain realistic results from the RVE simulation, an in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study is performed. Results from the SEM study show that the adhesive has a very complex structure with two different compounds, a mineral and an epoxy/thermoplastic blend.The RVE is subjected to two different load cases, peel and shear. An evolutionary algorithm is used to calibrate the numerical model to experimental results. The simulation results are compared to experimental results to verify the numerical model. The simulations show good agreement with the experimental results for both the peel and shear experiments.