MESO-MECHANICAL MODELLING OF THIN ADHESIVE LAYERS

A meso-mechanical finite element model for a thin adhesive layer is developed. The model is calibrated to experimental results where the adhesive layer is loaded in monotonically increasing peel or shear, cf. Andersson and Stigh [1] and Alfredsson et al. [2], and to an in situ SEM study of the fracture process. The purpose of the meso-mechanical finite element model is to facilitate the development of constitutive laws for adhesive layers. Ideas developed by Needleman [3], where structural continuum elements are bonded by cohesive elements are used as a basis for the finite element mesh. This thus enables micro cracks to propagate along the finite element boundaries. The simulations are found to be in good agreement with the experiments. The model is also capable of reproducing realistically the deformation observed in both peel [1] and shear [2] experiments. 1