An investigation into the crack initiation and propagation behaviour of bonded single-lap joints using backface strain

In this paper, the backface strain (BFS) measurement technique is used to characterise fatigue damage in single-lap adhesive joints subjected to constant amplitude fatigue loading. Different regions in the BFS plots are correlated with damage in the joints through microscopic characterisation of damage and cracking in partially fatigued joints and comparison with 3D finite element analysis (FEA) of various crack growth scenarios. Crack initiation domination was found at lower fatigue loads whereas crack propagation dominated at higher fatigue loads. Using the BFS and fatigue life measurement results, a simple predictive model is proposed which divides the fatigue lifetime into different regions depending upon the fatigue load. The model can be used with experimental BFS measurements to determine the residual life of the joint in different regions of damage progression during the fatigue life. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.