The effect of residual strains on the progressive damage modelling of environmentally degraded adhesive joints

This work is concerned with developing numerical modelling techniques for predicting the environmental degradation of adhesively-bonded joints. Associated experimental data are also reported. The moisture-dependent mechanical properties of the adhesive were obtained by testing bulk specimens also exposed to various moisture contents. The diffusion parameters for moisture in the adhesive were determined by carrying out gravimetric experiments on bulk adhesive samples. The moisture-dependent interfacial bond strength of the adhesive system investigated has been determined by testing a mixed mode flexure (MMF) specimen, exposed to obtain various levels of moisture content at the interface. Progressive damage in the joints was modelled with a two-parameter cohesive zone model (CZM). The CZM parameters were determined by correlating the experimental data obtained from the MMF test with results from the numerical simulation. The parameters were then used to predict the response of another configuration, the not...