Abaqus user element for an accurate modeling of adhesive joints on coarse meshes

This work is concerned with the Abaqus implementation of a suitable CAE methodology to get the most benefits of structural adhesive bonding. In this study, we are interested in cohesive debonding where the adhesive thickness and its non-linear behavior are of major importance. When subjected to loading, significant stress field gradients may develop around outer edges of the joint. Because such regions are sites for failure initiation, a specific mesh refinement is needed. Using SIMULIA solutions, an efficient discretization strategy, inspired by the p-FEM, is suggested and is implemented as an Abaqus user element. Balancing the accuracy and the calculation time, in full-scale simulations, it is then possible to capture edge effects and damage initiation. As the approach is suggested to be used in real applications, a validation example has been chosen to show the suitability of the methodology on coarse meshes.