A simple beam model for the shear failure of interfaces

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple yet effective beam model to analyze shear failure at interfaces, combining elastic beam behavior with probabilistic breaking thresholds to predict macroscopic failure and microscopic failure processes.

Contribution

It presents a novel elastic beam array model with independent or combined failure modes, providing analytical and simulation tools for interface shear failure analysis.

Findings

Analytical macroscopic constitutive behavior derived

Efficient simulation method developed for large systems

Exploration of localized interaction effects through simulations

Abstract

We propose a novel model for the shear failure of a glued interface between two solid blocks. We model the interface as an array of elastic beams which experience stretching and bending under shear load and break if the two deformation modes exceed randomly distributed breaking thresholds. The two breaking modes can be independent or combined in the form of a von Mises type breaking criterion. Assuming global load sharing following the beam breaking, we obtain analytically the macroscopic constitutive behavior of the system and describe the microscopic process of the progressive failure of the interface. We work out an efficient simulation technique which allows for the study of large systems. The limiting case of very localized interaction of surface elements is explored by computer simulations.