Finite element analysis using Cohesive Zone Method (CZM) is a commonly used method to investigate delamination in laminated composites. In this study, two plane strain, zero-thickness six-node quadratic (6-NQ) and four-node linear (4-NL) interface elements are developed to implement CZM. Two main approaches for CZM formulation are categorized as Unified Mode Approach (UMA) and Separated Mode Approach (SMA), and implemented into 6-NQ interface elements to model a double cantilever beam (DCB) test of a unidirectional laminated composite. The results of the approaches are nearly identical. However, it is theoretically shown that SMA spawns non-symmetric tangent stiffness matrices, which may lower convergence and/or overall performance, for mixed-mode loading cases. Next, a UMA constitutive relationship is rederived. The artificial modifications for improving convergence rates such as lowering penalty stiffness, weakening interfacial strength and using 6-NQ instead of 4-NL interface elements are investigated by using the derived UMA and the DCB test model. The modifications in interfacial strength and penalty stiffness indicate that the convergence may be improved by lowering either parameter. However, over-softening is found to occur if lowering is performed excessively. The morphological differences between the meshes of the models using 6-NQ and 4-NL interface elements are shown. As a consequence, it is highlighted that the impact to convergence performance and overall performance might be in opposite. Additionally, benefits of selecting CZM over other methods are discussed, in particular by theoretical comparisons with the popular Virtual Crack Closure Technique. Finally, the numerical solution scheme and the Arc-Length Method are discussed.

In this dissertation, four test approaches were developed to characterize the adhesion performance and durability of adhesive bonds for specific applications in areas spanning from structural adhesive joints to popular confectionaries such as chewing gum. In the first chapter, a double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen geometry is proposed for combinatorial fracture studies of structural adhesive bonds. This specimen geometry enabled the characterization of fracture energy vs. bondline thickness trends through fewer tests than those required during a conventional "one at a time" characterization approach, potentially offering a significant reduction in characterization times. The second chapter investigates the adhesive fracture resistance and crack path selection in adhesive joints containing patterns of discreet localized weak interfaces created using physical vapor deposition of copper. In a DCB specimen tested under mode-I conditions, fracture energy within the patterned regions scaled according to a simple rule of mixture, while reverse R-curve and R-curve type trends were observed in the regions surrounding weak interface patterns. Under mixed mode conditions such that bonding surface with patterns is subjected to axial tension, fracture energy did not show R-curve type trends while it was observed that a crack could be made to avoid exceptionally weak interfaces when loaded such that bonding surface with defects is subjected to axial compression. In the third chapter, an adaptation of the probe tack test is proposed to characterize the adhesion behavior of gum cuds. This test method allowed the introduction of substrates with well-defined surface energies and topologies to study their effects on gum cud adhesion. This approach and reported insights could potentially be useful in developing chewing gum formulations that facilitate easy removal of improperly discarded gum cuds from adhering surfaces. In the fourth chapter we highlight a procedure to obtain insights into the long-term performance of silicone sealants designed for load-bearing applications such as solar panel support sealants. Using small strain constitutive tests and time-temperature-superposition principle, thermal shift factors were obtained and successfully used to characterize the creep rupture master curves for specific joint configurations, leading to insights into delayed failures corresponding to three years through experiments carried out in one month. / Ph. D.