Numerical Evaluation of Subcritical Crack Growth Kinetics in Structural Adhesive Joints under Long-Term Static Loads Using Cohesive Zone Model and Experimental Data

A numerical method for the simulation and calculation the subcritical crack growth kinetics and for plotting kinetic G–V diagrams for structural adhesive junctions under prolonged static loading is proposed. The load has been set by the global subcritical crack opening according to mode I. The simulation and calculations have been carried out using a cohesive zone model implanted into the finite element method in the environment of the ANSYS software package. The parameters of the cohesive zone law and the subcritical crack growth kinetics have been experimentally determined for samples in the form of a double cantilever beam made of aluminum alloy plates glued using industrial grade epoxy adhesive. Comparison of the calculated and experimental data has shown a good correlation.