Dimensioning of Elastic Adhesive Joints with Complex Geometries? – A Systematic Approach beyond ETAG 002

Abstract

The current European standard for dimensioning silicone adhesive joints in structural glazing applications is defined in the ETAG 002. Although there are several decades of field experience with this standard it still has some major limitations and mainly uses an empirical concept based on an average force by area tension engineering approach. In addition there are a number of other restrictions for example the limitation of specific substrates and rectangular shaped joints with defined aspect ratios as well as the exclusion of joints with non-coplanar surfaces. The presented investigations are based on a combined numerical and experimental concept and demonstrate that appropriately designed elastic adhesive joints with complex geometries excluded by common standards can be evaluated and validated in a systematic and reliable way. The experimental test may easily be combined with well-established and proven aging test schemes, for which long-term reliable field experience is available. In addition any desired safety factor can be added.