Numerical methods for design of bonded joints for ship structures

In the EU project BONDSHIP adhesive bonding has been introduced into shipbuilding for joining similar or dissimilar lightweight materials. For the investigation of bonded structural behaviour the finite element method provides versatile numerical tools. While for the design of large structures a cost-efficient modelling method using a substitute system of one-dimensional spring elements is necessary, the non-linear finite element methods with hyperelastic material models using three-dimensional solid elements are required for detailed joint analysis. Numerical simulations of mechanical tests on a bonded aluminium structure have been performed with the finite element codes ABAQUS Standard and MSC.Marc. The global and local finite element analyses incorporating both modelling methods through the submodelling technique are presented. The structural behaviour under both bending and shear loads was investigated using inductive measurement. A comparison of two modelling metho ds with the test results is presented in this paper.