A SIMPLIFIED ADHESIVE BONDED TEE JOINT MODEL FOR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

The focus of the present paper is on establishing a simplified finite element model for symmetrical adhesive Tee joints. The element stiffness matrix is determined through particular boundary displacement conditions based on the analytical solutions. The adhesive Tee joint element has advantages of avoiding overestimating the thickness the adhesive layer due to the offset nodes and reducing the number of degree-of-freedom. The simple finite element model was verified through numerical experiments by comparing with the detailed models. The element model of adhesive Tee joint also has potential to be applied in the large-scale finite element models such as automotive or aircraft structures.