Extended formulation of macro-element based modelling – Application to single-lap bonded joints

An extended formulation of the macro-element (ME) based models, representing for both adherends and adhesive along the entire overlap in only one four-node element, is presented. Compared to earlier modelling, continuum ME (CME) and discrete ME (DME) based models, the adherend parts are also modelled as plane continuum media, for which high order displacement fields are freely supposed. Both extended CME (ECME) and extended DME (EDME) based modelling can have their displacement field orders of each continuum layer be set individually, and can be enriched using springs for interfaces or boundary conditions modelling, allowing the stresses to vanish at the free edges. The methodology and formulation of the stiffness matrix for both the adherend without adhesive and the bonded overlap is presented. The assessment is performed for a single-lap joint geometry by comparison results from a plane strain finite element (FE) model with extended ME-based models. Good agreements are shown for both thin and thick adhesive case studies.