A meshless crack propagation algorithm extended to mixed-mode loading of adhesive joints

A fracture propagation algorithm is extended to mixed-mode fracture propagation in adhesively bonded joints. Therein, single-leg bending (SLB) specimens bonding carbon-epoxy adherents with the brittle AV138 (R) adhesive were experimentally tested to characterize the adhesive joint and validate the numerical application. Regarding the numerical analysis, the radial point interpolation method (RPIM), a meshless method, is considered to obtain the specimen's mechanical response at each crack tip increment. Using the RPIM allows a flexible discretization of the problem domain with a set of unstructured nodes, providing accurate and convergent structural analyses. Additionally, meshless methods expedite the development of the geometric crack tip propagation algorithm. The present numerical application demonstrates the proficiency of the present fracture propagation algorithm to analyse the mixed-mode fracture propagation in adhesively bonded joints.