Static analysis and delamination of structures in adhesive contact with an elastic half-plane using a coupled FE-BIE model

Beams, frames or thin-shells in perfect adhesion with an isotropic or orthotropic substrate are analysed by means of a Finite Element-Boundary Integral Equation (FE-BIE) method. Comparison of a rigid beam behaviour is made with available closed-form solutions to the contact problem of a rigid indenter. A variety of practical examples are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed model, making use of the generalised Green's function for the half-plane. Furthermore, the present method has been investigated assuming a "weak interface" to simulate the behaviour of adhesive between two materials. The relationship of slip and interfacial reaction is supposed "a priori" linear elastic or elastic-plastic. The simple linear cases are compared with the Melan's solution. Debonding of a FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete substrate has been reported and confronted with experimental results and prediction of another model found in the literature. Finally, zero-thickness interface elements are used in the 2D finite elements to reproduce a brittle fracture within a laminate substrate.