An integrated approach to improving the adhesive bond strength of honeycomb composite joints

Adhesive bonded composite joints are traditionally difficult to model using finite element (FE) techniques. The approach to modelling these joints requires the use of powerful FE packages as well as significant skill and knowledge on behalf of the FE analyst in order to model accurately both the material and adhesive characteristics. This paper develops a methodology for employing the Taguchi experimental design technique to aid the FE analyst in identifying the factors that directly affect joint performance. An approach is developed which integrates experimental design and FE analysis.