International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, submitted (2002)

This paper introduces a new approach to adhesion tests by a compression-loaded, double lap shear specimen and presents stress analysis of that specimen. The geometry modifies conventional double lap shear tests to minimize peel stresses and facilitate specimen fabrication, and thereby increase test reproducibility. The bonded part of the new specimen is identical to a conventional double lap shear specimen, but the specimen is end-loaded in compression instead of in tension. We analyzed the stress state using a new shear-lag theory for multilayered systems that includes residual stresses and friction on debonded surfaces. Axial stresses, shear stresses, and axial displacements were calculated for specimens stressed in the elastic regime, or beyond where local damage or yielding of the adhesive are present. They all compared well with the results of finite element analysis. Failure models of the specimen were derived using both strength and energy release rate methods. The model captured all the essential features of the energy release rate, including the e#ects of internal stresses and of friction at the debonded interface, within a certain range of debond length and friction stress. The results in this paper will be used in the remaining articles of this series, demonstrating the e#ects of internal stresses and physical aging of the adhesive on practical adhesion