Experimental and Computational Analysis of Interface Fracture using Extrinsic and Intrinsic Cohesive Zone Modelling

Abstract

In recent years, material interfaces have become part of numerous engineering and structural applications. Interface failure comprising both cohesive and adhesive failure is one of the shortcomings of bonded structures during service loading conditions. Therefore, predicting interface failures is essential for ensuring the reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness of systems and processes across various industries. The cohesive zone model (CZM) is a widely used computational technique for analyzing the interface fracture phenomenon within computational fracture mechanics studies. The main objective of the present thesis is to expand the applicability of the CZM for a wide range of material interfaces, ranging from adhesively bonded joints to laminated composites. Additionally, the experimental crack growth studies of isotropic and orthotropic material interfaces augment the proposed numerical methodology within the finite element framework.