Virtual determination of cohesive zone parameters for adhesive joints using a homogenization approach

Lightweight materials, like fibre reinforced plastics (FRP), are important factors in the goal of reducing the weight in transportation application and thus to safe the limited natural resources. To fully exploit the potential of FRP materials, joining techniques have to be adapted. Compared to mechanical fasteners adhesive joining of FRP features several advantages, one of them being that fibres and surfaces are not disrupted.