International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 8, August 2013)
Study of Inter-laminar Shear stress of composite structures
Jeevan Ealias1, Lalmoni2, Jenny John Mattam3
1
M.Tech, Machine design& Saintgits college of Engineering
Abstract— Composite structures have many useful
applications in the field of aerospace, civil infrastructure and
construction. De-lamination is one of the major failure modes.
Inter-laminar shear stresses are the source of failure, unique
in composite structures. The presence of inter-laminar shear
stress at the interface leads to de-lamination, if it exceeds
beyond its strength and hence reduces the strength of
structural component. Inter-laminar shear stress arises due to
various reasons. All layers may have different properties
depending upon the selection of fibres in lamina as well as its
orientation. Inter-laminar shear stress is the out of plane
stress σz, τxz and τyz at the interface between layers in
laminated composite structures. Inter-laminar shear stress
would tend to delaminate at the interface. Classical laminate
theory (CLT) assumed that components of all out of plane
stress are zero. An appropriate evaluation of inter-laminar
shear stress leads to an accurate prediction of failure
mechanism which is a challenging task for researchers and
analysts. The present study focuses for the determination of
inter-laminar shear stress of composite structures. The most
direct way to predict inter-laminar shear stress using solid
element but is very computation – intensive. Layered shell
elements are used for relatively thin structures. Layered solid
element is used for thick structures but it has its own
limitations. A case study is carried out to compare afore-
mentioned three approaches. The solution for the inter-
laminar shear stress distribution in an adhesive layer within a
bonded structure is highly complex. The present study
provides an analytical method to determine the inter-
laminar shear stress of adhesive bonded structures using
graded mesh. Distribution of inter-laminar shear stress for
bending load is found out using Finite element software
ANSYS.
Keywords—Inter-laminar shear stress, Laminate,De-
lamination
I. INTRODUCTION
Laminated composite plates have many industry
applications in the felid of bridge and bodywork
construction, aero planes, mechanical, automobile
industries etc .This is because of its high specific stiffness,
and high specific strength, corrosion resistance and low
coefficient of thermal expansion etc[6].The main advantage
of composite material is that one can choose the material
according to the directional stiffness and strength in a
specific direction.De-lamination is one of the major
damage modes in laminated composite materials.
543
Inter-laminar shear stresses are the source of failure,
unique characteristic of composite structure. The presence
of inter-laminar shear stress in the laminated composite
leads to de-lamination.Inter-laminar shear stress arises due
to various reasons. One is material property between layers.
All layers may have different properties depending upon
the selection of fibres in lamina as well as its orientation.
Inter-laminar shear stress is the out-of-plane stress σz, τxz,
and τyz defined at the interface between layers in a
laminated composite material [1]. The inter-laminar shear
stresses are important because they have a marked effect on
the failure strength of composite laminate [7].Inter-laminar
shear stress would tend to shear apart the interface in the
corresponding directions. Classical laminate theory (CLT),
assumed that components of all out of plane stress are zero.
In-plane stress distribution in each layer of laminate are
determined from the knowledge of the applied force and
moment resultant. Distribution of the inter-laminar shear
stress in each layer from applied shear resultant is not
readily available from the standard lamination theory
equations. An appropriate evaluation of inter-laminar shear
stress leads to an accurate prediction of failure mechanism.
An accurate estimation of inter-laminar shear stress is a
challenging task for researchers and analysts. Earlier there
was a challenge to understand inter-laminar shear stress.
Numerous investigators have used a variety of method to
attempt to calculate these inter-laminar shear stresses.
Various approaches such as finite difference, 3D finite
element, closed-form analytical approach, using mixed
element formation and stress based methods, boundary
layer theories and layer-wise theories have been used to
calculate inter-laminar shear stress near free edge. The
present study focuses for the determination of inter-laminar
shear stress of composite structures. Detail investigation of
inter-laminar shear stress distribution under mechanical
loading. There are three elements are used for predicting
inter-laminar shear stress using finite element analysis. The
most direct way to accurately predict inter-laminar shear
stress using solid brick element. It has large number of
element in thickness direction. Such high number of
element leads to extreme long computation time. Layered
shell elements are used for relatively thin structures.
Layered solid element is used for thick structures. Consider
the case of fixed plate with load at centre.
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 8, August 2013)
The variation of inter-laminar shear stress through the
thickness direction is found out using these elements. Solid
element was selected for accurate prediction of inter-
laminar shear stress distribution from the analysis. A
cantilever plate subjected to uniformly distributed load at
end is examined using FE software ANSYS .The
distribution of inter-laminar shear stress through the
thickness will be compared with available literature.Inter-
laminar shear stress distribution through thickness direction
of orthotropic and angle ply laminate are found out using
FE software. Agreement between the results will show the
validity and accuracy of the proposed FE element.
Select the better element used for the determination of
inter-laminar shear stress of adhesive bonded structure.
Sandwich composite structure is an example of adhesive
bonded structure. Sandwich composite structure with
stiffed composite face sheets bonded to the low-density
core. Sandwich composite structures are widely used in
man-made satellites, rocket, and missile, automotive and
aero plane. The main role of face sheet is to carry structural
loads. The core acts to separate the face sheets and increase
the moment of inertia of the panel with littlie increasing in
weight .It is an efficient structure for resisting structural
loads, the most common and dangerous failure in between
face sheets and core is interfacial de-bonding. This is due to
inter-laminar shear stress. A honey comb sandwich
structure consist a pair of thin, facings to carry the
structural loadings. A thick, light weight core is to separate
the facings to carry the loads the structural loading. Two
aluminum layers are capable of transmitting shear loads to
and from the core. Two aluminum layers are joined using a
thermo set adhesive. The solution for inter-laminar stress
distribution in an adhesive layer within a bonded structure
is highly complex due to the predominantly inelastic nature
of the polymeric adhesive. The present study provides an
analytical method for determine the inter-laminar shear
stress of adhesive bonded structure using graded mesh.
Two aluminum plates are bonded using thermo set
adhesive. In case of bending, variation of inter-laminar
shear stress through the thickness at the thin adhesive layer
is found out using Finite element software ANSYS. In
adhesive bonded joints, cohesive and adhesive failure due
to inter-laminar shear stress. The inter-laminar shear stress
values of these failure zone are directly determined from
the analysis.
544
II. SHEAR STRESS DISTRIBUTION OF ISOTROPIC
LAMINATED PLATE
Consider the case in which bending of plate results in a
generalized planar stress distribution. Normal stress
component σz is zero at all points of the plate and the
shearing stress component τxz and τyz are zero on the
surface z=±h/2 of the plate. The deflection of a rectangular
plate clamped along one edge and uniformly loaded along
the opposite edge (figure) represents an example of such
bending. From the theory of bending of rectangular beam
we know that in this case σz=0 at all point of the plate and
τxz is zero on the surface of the plate and varies along depth
of the plate according to the parabolic law [8].
τxz=
Figure 1: Geometry of isotropic cantilever plate
Problem detention
A cantilever plate of young’s modulus of 40GPa of
length 10mm having a cross section 4mm wide and 1mm
deep. At one end 4.7355N force is applied in transverse
direction. In this section, the 3-D solid element with one
inter-laminar shear stress through thickness direction
studied. The configuration of the laminate and the
coordinate system are shown in figure. The inter-laminar
shear stress pattern obtained by the present study compared
with available one in the literature [4]. In the plate stiffness
vary only across layer boundaries and thus, the integration
may be performed on the layer by layer basis in the
analytical fashion. For the purpose of convergence study of
laminated cantilever plate with the tip transverse load is
considered. Consider a four layer plate (l=10mm, b=4mm)
with thickness t=1mm. All the degrees of freedom are
restrained at one end. Constant load 4.7355N is equally
distributes in z direction at other end.
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 8, August 2013)
Figure 2: Geometry of laminated plate in bending
The bending of isotropic laminated plate was examined
using 3-D FEM software ANSYS. Laminated plate consists
of different cases. The plate subjected transverse loading at
one end. All the degree of freedom retained at one end. The
transverse shear stress component computed by 3D-FEM
software ANSYS. 0.0105N forces distributed in to 11×41
nodes. This method does not consider the solution of
particular boundary value problem. It requires only
knowledge of the global shear loading, geometry and
material property of laminate. The presented analysis has
been validated for laminates with one to four layers
composed of isotropic materials by comparison to available
literature [9]. Shear stresses (τxz) shown in the results were
taken at x = 5 and y=2 (middle of the domain) in order to
ensure that the edge effects do not influence the results
Figure 3: Loading and boundary condition of cantilever plate
Following material property used in laminated plate.
Monolithic Material
Young’s modulus = 40000Mpa
Poisons ratio = 0.25
Shear stress distribution through the thickness varies
parabolicaly. The shear stress distribution reduces to the
beam theory parabolic expression. The inter-laminar shear
stress distribution is zero at free surface and continues at
ply boundaries.
545
In solid element free edge inter-laminar stress values are
not zero. It gives more accurate values of inter-laminar
shear stress at the interface of different material. The
neutral axis is at the mid plane (z=0).
Top and bottom surface of the plates are free. So shear
stress at the top and bottom of the plates are zero.
Maximum shear stress at the neutral axis is given by
Shear stress, τxz =
Where Q =
P =Total force =4.736N
b =Width of the plate = 4mm
i.e. Q = =1.184N/mm
h=Thickness of the plate = 1mm
Z=0 (Neutral axis at the mid-plane)
τxz= =
Shear stress distribution through the thickness varies
parabolicaly. The shear stress distribution reduces to the
beam theory parabolic expression. The inter-laminar shear
stress distribution is zero at free surface and continues at
ply boundaries. In solid element free edge inter-laminar
stress values are not zero. It gives more accurate values of
inter-laminar shear stress at the interface of different
material. The neutral axis is at the mid plane (z=0). The
maximum value at mid plane (z=0) equal to 1.486Mpa.
Analysis result From Literature[9]
Analysis Bi material (Stiffer on bottom): The results for
this case are shown in figure. As in Case 2, the resulting
shear distribution is Piece-wise parabolic with the peak
occurring in the stiffer material at the location of the
neutral axis (z* = –0.15).
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 8, August 2013)
The analysis results are excellent agreement with
available literature. Theoretically the location of neutral
axis is where Piece-wise parabolic with the peak occurring
in the stiffer material. Here two material having same
poisons ratio Property of materials
Material 1: E=40GPa, Poisons ratio=0.25
Material 2: E=10GPa, Poisons ratio=0.25
Analysis result From Literature[9]
Theoretically the location of neutral axis is where Piece-
wise parabolic with the peak occurring in the stiffer
material. Here two material having same poisons ratio
Property of materials
Material 1: E=40GPa, Poisons ratio=0.25
Material 2: E=10GPa, Poisons ratio=0.25
The cross section of laminate is shown in figure (a). In
this case, the two materials act as a single unit and thus will
have single neutral axis.
Let us convert composite section in to an equivalent
section of material 2 as shown in figure (b). The equivalent
section of material 2 is obtained by multiplying the
dimension of material 1 in the direction parallel to the
N.A.by modular ratio between material 1 and material 2.
Material 1 Material 2
.5mm
.5mm .5mm Material 2
Material 2
4mm 16mm
(a) Composite laminate (b) Equivalent section of material 2
The width of material 1 parallel to N.A is 4mm.Hence
equivalent material 2 width for the steel plate will be 4×4
=16mm. This is shown in figure (b).
546
Distance between C.G of the equivalent section of
material 2 and bottom face
The location of neutral axis from centre =
.5-.35=0.15mm
Similarly plot equivalent cross section of material 1.
Stiffer on bottom: The results for this case are shown in
figure. As in Case 2, the resulting shear distribution is
Piece-wise parabolic with the peak occurring in the stiffer
material at the location of the neutral axis (z* = –0.15). The
analysis results are excellent agreement with available
literature.
.
Analysis result From Literature[9]
Case 3: Analysis of three layer (soft inner plies)
Here four layers isotropic materials with soft inner plies
are used .The results for this case are shown in figure.
Because the laminate is symmetric, the shear distribution is
symmetric as well, with maximum at the laminate mid
plane. The analysis result has excellent agreement with
literature. The maximum value of inter-laminar shear stress
is at mid plane equal to 1.327MPa.
Analysis result From Literature[9]
Case 4: Analysis of three layer (soft outer plies) :
Four layers isotropic materials with outer inner plies are
used .The results for this case are shown in figure. Because
the laminate is symmetric, the shear distribution is
symmetric as well, with maximum at the laminate mid
plane. The analysis result (pattern only) has excellent
agreement with literature.
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 8, August 2013)
Analysis result From Literature[10]
Case 5: Analysis of four layers with different stiffness and
equal poisons ratio:
The model having finite element size .125mm and
keeping aspect ratio equal to one.0.0159N force is
distributed 33×9 nodes end of plate. The results for the four
layer cases are shown in figure. The peak occurs in the
lower half of the laminate, which contains the stiffer
materials. The maximum value of inter-laminar shear stress
is at lower half of the laminate equal to 1.461MPa.
Analysis result From Literature[9]
Case 6: Analysis of Bi material with different poisons ratio:
This case is identical to Case 2 except that the Poisson
ratios of the layers have been changed. The bottom (stiffer)
layer is given a Poisson ratio = 0.45, while the top (more
compliant) layer is given a Poisson ratio = 0.05. The results
shown in figure indicate that the Poisson ratio mismatch
causes a slight shifting of the shear stress distribution and
amplification of the maximum compared to the Case 3
results, which employed equal Poisson ratios
Analysis result From Literature[9]
From the analysis plot the out of plane shear stress (τxz)
variation through the thickness. Take nodal values through
the thickness from centre at a distance of 5mm.
547
In the case of isotropic four layer materials, the shear
stress distribution reduces to the beam theory parabolic
expression. Consider six cases, including monolithic
materials, three layer isotropic materials with soft inner
plies, soft outer plies and soft adjacent plies. The variation
of shear stress (as implemented in ANSYS) is compared
with the available literature presented by R.J.C. Nasa
publications [9] and Creemers[10].
III. FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
This chapter deals with the finite element modeling and
analysis of the isotropic plate subjected to shear loading.
It’s mainly for determination of one inter-laminar shear
stress through thickness direction using FEA software
ANSYS. Three analyses are carried out by using solid
element, shell element and layered solid element. Analysis
of shell and solid element using ANASYS software
(Current Version 13).Analysis of layered solid using
ANSYS (Current Version 10).
Methods of Predicting Inter- laminar shear stress.
Three elements are mainly used for the determination of
inter-laminar shear stress of composite structures. The best
method of predicting inter-laminar shear stresses is to
create a mesh of 3D solid elements, with at least one and
ideally more than one element through the thickness of
each layer of laminate. The inter-laminar shear stresses can
then be extracted directly from the full stress tensor, noting
that σz, τxz, and τyz are all continuous across the layer
boundaries (the corresponding strains are not necessarily
continuous across layer boundaries)[2]. Assuming that
composite structure is relatively thin is used layered shell
element. The efficiency comes from the fact that only one
shell element is required through the thickness, because
shell theory is built into the element formulation. The
disadvantages of this approach are that shell theory
assumes σz is zero, so this inter-laminar stress component
will not be calculated. Shell theory also assumes that the
out-of-plane shear strains are zero, i.e. γxz and γyz are zero,
which means the inter-laminar shear stresses cannot be
calculated directly from the stress-strain relationship [2]. If
the composite structure is not thin, use layered solid. It has
their own problems. It wills often stacking to ensure good
global deflection and stiffness characterization. This
complicates the inter-laminar stress calculation because the
zero stress assumption at the top and bottom may not be
clear for a complex, curved geometry.
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The finite element analysis code is internally calculating
the strain tensor in each element from the nodal
displacements, and all the strains, including the inter-
laminar strains, are assumed continuous. . Once the
material properties are applied to obtain layer stresses, the
inter-laminar stress distribution through the layers is
discontinuous, which is exactly opposite of what it should
be [2].
Analysis of Two layered Isotropic Material
Prediction of shear stress in xz direction through the two
layers of composite material using brick solid 185,Shell
281and layered solid 191.Brick solid 185 consists of two Figure 5: solid Model acted upon by loads and constraints.
equal thickness isotropic layers, one stiffer than other.
Eight solid elements are in the thickness direction (four
elements through each layer) direction. Shell 281 consist
four equal thickness isotropic layers. Two adjacent layer
stiffer than other two adjacent layers. In each layer consists
of top, middle and bottom layers. Layered solid 191
consists of only one solid element through the thickness. It
consist two equal thickness isotropic layers. Two adjacent
layer stiffer than other two adjacent layers. In each layer
consists of top, middle and bottom layers. Geometry of the
isotropic plate with coordinate system is shown in Figure1.
Input data used
Dimension of plate: 100mm×40mm×10mm ,Layer 1: Figure 6: shell Model acted upon by loads and constraint
Steel (Young’s modulus: 210000MPa, Poisons ratio: .3),
Layer 2: Aluminum (Young’s modulus: 68670MPa,
Poisons ratio: .3)
Modeling and meshing are shown in figure 2.The 2-D
cross section model is generated in the XY plane, where
global z-axis is the transverse direction .The area is extrude
about the Z-axis to get the 3-D model of the isotropic plate.
The 2-D model is meshed with shell 281element. The 3-D
model is meshed with solid 185 and layered solid 191 for
carrying out the structural analysis. Refinements are made
wherever it is required to simulate the actual situation.

Figure7: Layered solid Model acted upon by loads and constraints

In figure 2 all the degrees of freedom are restrained at

the both end. The load applied at the midpoint of the plate.
10000N load is applied at mid point in Z direction
(transverse direction).1111.11N load distributed in to nine
nodes at the centre. In figure 3 all the degrees of freedom
are restrained at the both ends. The loads are applied at the
midpoint of plate. 10000N load is applied at midpoint end
in Z direction (transverse direction). In figure 4 all the
degrees of freedom are restrained at the both ends.
Figure 4: Geometry of the isotropic plate

548
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
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The loads are applied at the middle end. 10000N load is The best method is using multiple solid element method.
applied at other end in Z direction Take 9 nodal values The shell element not gives correct inter-laminar shear
through the thickness of solid element taken at a distance stress variation at the interface of soft and stiffer material.
30mm from centre to X direction and 10mm from Y The accuracy in modeling composite shells is governed by
direction. Layer wise information of shell element through the first-order shear-deformation theory (usually referred to
the thickness gives the variation of inter-laminar shear as Mindlin-Reissner shell theory).According to this theory
stress. In each layer of steel and aluminum consists of top, the element formulation is based on logarithmic strain and
bottom and middle layers. Table1 shows inter-laminar true stress measures. The element kinematics allow for
shear stress distribution through the thickness of solid, shell finite membrane strains (stretching). However, the
and layered solid element. curvature changes within a time increment are assumed to
Table 1
be small. Actual variation of inter-laminar shear stress at
Inter-laminar shear stress through thickness interface higher compared to shell element.
Thickness Solid Shell Layered
Element Element solid element
(mm) τxz(MPa) τxz(MPa) τxz(MPa)

0 4.22 0 3.89

1.25 9.18 8.09 -

2.5 15.27 16.18 14 Figure 8.1:Analatical Result Figure 8.2:Result from literature[9]

3.75 17.30 16.13 - From figures 5.1 and 5.2 inter-laminar stress prediction
using layered solid less accurate due to sudden jump the
5 16.17 16.07 20.79,6.98 value at the inter face .so the variation of inter-laminar
shear stress discontinuous at interface. If structure is thin
6.25 13.89 13.38 - shell is the best method. But assumption using shell theory
is opposing inter-laminar stress prediction. The best
7.5 10.50 10.699 7.93 method is using multiple solid element method.

8.75 5.762 5.35 - IV. ANALYSIS OF INTER-LAMINAR SHEAR STRESS OF AN

10 2.56 0 7.97
Result and discussion
The best method is to use multiple solid elements
through each layer. The structure is thin and behaves like a
shell; layered shell elements typically provide a good
prediction of inter-laminar shear stresses If the structure is
not thin, and you cannot use multiple or even one solid
element through each layer, your best bet is to use layered
solids to predict the global response, and then sub-
modeling techniques using several solid elements through
the layer thickness to obtain accurate inter-laminar stresses
in the critical regions. From figure inter-laminar stress
prediction using layered solid less accurate due to sudden
jump the value at the inter face .So the variation of inter-
laminar shear stress discontinuous at interface. If structure
is thin shell is the best method. But assumption using shell
theory is opposing inter-laminar stress prediction.
549
ADHESIVE BONDED STRUCTURE
Analyze the variation of inter-laminar shear stress at the
thin adhesive layer. In this study the inter-laminar shear
stress analysis of an adhesively bonded face sheets
subjected to a bending load was carried out. Due to bending
the deformation take place in adhesive and aluminum
adherends.The inter-laminar shear stress in adhesive cause
cohesive failure and inter-laminar shear stress between
adhered and adhesive cause adhesive failure will be take
place. This structure was analyzed by using 3D FEA
Software ANSYS (current version 13).The variation of
inter-laminar shear stress through the thickness direction
was determined. Solid element gives clear picture of
adhesive and cohesive failure zone of ILSS. In the finite
element method, any continuous structure is divided to
small region having the same properties and with finite size
and including nodes at their corner and edges [3]. The
elements are connected through these nodes. Graded mesh
pattern shown in figure.
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From previous chapters showing that interlaminar shear
stress through the thickness varying in parabolic fashion.
But at small adhesive layer these parabolic fashion shoud
have some changes due to mismatching the property of
adhesive and aluminum layer.So fisrt analyse the variation
of ILSS through the thickess considering full thickess of
aluminium material.Then considering varing stiffness of
Figure 9: Graded mesh pattern of thin adhesive joint 1mm adhesive layer.Then increse the thickness of adhesive
This extra facing of aluminum is used for joining of layer from 1mm to 4mm and apply material having similar
honeycomb structures in space vehicles. The strength of stiffness.Finaly analyse the adhesive bonded plate using
adhesive is most important factor. In this study analyze the epoxy resin adhesive. A transverse load of 20KN is applied
variation of inter laminar shear stress in thin adhesive layer at centre. All Degree of freedom of two short sides of
in bending. plates are arrested.

Finite element analysis of adhesive boned joint

The solid element type is also important in modeling the
structure and to achieve a reasonably accurate solution.4-
node solid 185 element with two integration point were
used to model adhesive and aluminium adherend.A
commercial FEA software ANSYS (Current version 13)
was used to solve the problem. In between two layer of
aluminum steel having size 4mm, a 1mm adhesive is
bonded. The FEA analysis of this laminate is done by
using graded mesh. The analysis is done by using non
linear FEA method. In this FEA method, any continuous
structure is divided to small region having same properties
and with finite size including nodes at their corner edge and
end. In this modeling give accurate solution keeping good Figure 11: Model with loading and constraints
aspect ratio of fine size. Eight node brick element used to From case(a) to case(c) the inter-laminar shear stress (τxz
model two Aluminium layers and fine adhesive layer. and τyz) through the thickness direction was plotted at a
The geometry of model used for analysis is shown in distance 25mm from x direction and 10mm from y
figure. Where dimension is taken as Length (l) =100mm in direction.Unaverage value of inter-laminar shear stress are
X direction, breadth (b) =40mm in Y direction, Thickness shown in figure.
(t) =8mm in Z direction. Greded mesh used for analysis is shown in figure.

Figure12: Graded mesh pattern

Figure 10: Geometry of adhesive bonded joint

Analysis of varying stiffness of Adhesive Case (a): The modulus of elasticity of adhesive layer is
Consider different cases of varing the stiffness of equal to 10GPa and poisons ratio equal to 0.3.
adhesive layer and adhesive thickness.

550
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Case (b): The modulus of elasticity of adhesive layer is
equal to .1GPa and poisons ratio equal to 0.3
Case(c): The modulus of elasticity of adhesive layer is
equal to .001GPa and poisons ratio equal to 0.3
In case 1 value of τxz at the centre equal to 43.44MPa
and value of τyz at the centre equal to 1.343MPa. Case 2
value of at τxz at the centre equal to 16.71MPa and τyz at the
centre equal .505Mpa. In case 3 value of τxz at the centre
equal to .241MPa and value of τyz at the centre equal to
.005MPa. The adhesive adherent interface two value of
inter laminar shear stresses are arise due to mismatching
the elastic property of adherend and adhesive. Inter laminar
shear stress value is depend upon the stiffness of the
adhesive layer. In case 1 to 3 the stiffness of thin adhesive
layer decreases from 10GPa to .001GPa.Inter laminar shear
stress value of τxz adhesive at the centre location is
decreases from 43.44MPa to .241MPa.Parabolic fashion of
ILSS changes at the Adherent to adhesive interface. The
failure is take place in adhesive or adhesive-adherent
interface. If know the maximum allowable stress of
adhesive, it is easily compare with stress at the adhesive
and stress adhesive-adherent interface. If the stress at the
adhesive location higher than allowable stresses cohesive
failure take place. If the stress at adherent to adhesive
interface higher than allowable stress adhesive failure will
take place.
551
Finite element analysis using solid element only give
this information. Shell and layered solid is not suitable to
provide this kind of information. So these elements are
rejected for this particular analysis.
Consider epoxy resin used for join two face
sheets.Youngs modulus of epoxy resin equal to 4.5GPa and
poisons ratio equal to 0.3. Figure shows inter-laminar shear
stress (τxz and τyz) through the thickness direction at a
distance 25mm from x direction and 10mm from y
direction. The Maximum allowable shear stress of epoxy
resin is 50MPa.From analysis maximum inter-laminar
shear stress τxz at adhesive layer equal to 44.05MPa and at
adhesive to aluminum interface is 4.85MPa.So the adhesive
bond is free from adhesive and cohesive Failure at that
particular region.
V. CONCLUSION
Compare the variation of inter-laminar shear stress
through the thickness direction using FEA software
ANSYS of isotropic material with available literature with
different cases. All the analysis results are excellent
agreement with available literature. Solid element is
suitable for the analysis inter-laminar shear stress of thin
adhesive layer. Shell and layered solid element are rejected.
Shell element not gives inter-laminar shear stress variation
at interface during bending. In layered solid a sudden jump
of inter-laminar shear stress is take place at interface. So
these two elements are rejected. It is validate by using FEA
software ANSYS. For the determination of inter-laminar
shear stress of thin adhesive layer graded mesh pattern is
used. Cohesive and adhesive failure takes place due to the
inter-laminar shear stress. This paper suggests an analytical
method used for the determination of thin adhesive layer.
VI. FUTURE WORK
Using integration inter-laminar shear stress is
determined by equilibrium equation. The variation stress is
determined from analysis.
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 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
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