Shear and Normal Stresses in Adhesive Joints

A two‐stage analytical procedure for determining the distribution of shear and normal stresses in a variety of adhesive joints, subjected to bending and axial forces, is described. The analytical procedure is based on previous assumptions that the adhesive layer is relatively flexible and can be idealized as a medium possessing only shear and normal stiffnesses, The solutions are validated by comparison with existing two‐dimensional finite element solutions for single and double lap joints. Solutions are also presented for a variety of adhesive joints subjected to axial forces and bending. The nonlinear interaction between eccentric axial forces and bending of adhesive joints is also discussed and quantified.