ABSTRACT
This chapter exclusively deals with the modeling and analysis of functionally graded adhesively bonded joints in laminated fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) composites emphasizing with different types of damages. Generally speaking, the damages in adhesively bonded laminated FRP composites may manifest themselves in the forms of cohesive failure, interfacial failure, interlaminar/intralaminar delamination, debonding of fiber–matrix interface, and fiber breakage. Although all or some of the above damage modes may simultaneously be present in any structural bonded joint, damages due to the cohesive failure, interfacial failure and delamination are of prime concern because they can reduce the strength and stiffness of the structure significantly. Mechanics of interfacial/delamination damages in functionally graded adhesively bonded joints of laminated FRP composites are also discussed in detail. The main focus of this chapter is on the methodology viz. criteria for damage onset, growth/propagation for design and analysis of functionally graded adhesively bonded out-of-plane joints. These criteria are used by well-established fracture mechanics-based principle such as strain energy release rate parameters, which is evaluated based on modified crack closure integral and virtual crack closure technique.
