Asymptotic Analysis of the Thermal Stresses in a Two-Layer Composite With an Adhesive Layer

The room temperature stresses induced in a composite structure after cool-down from a high temperature are studied within the framework of linear thermoelasticiry. The equations governing a one-dimensional plane strain strip model are formulated using Reissner's variational theorem and appropriate assumptions regarding the through-thickness variation of the stress and displacement fields. Solutions are obtained using the method of matched asymptotic expansions, assuming that the thicknesses of the adherends are much smaller than their length. Numerical results are presented that show the variation of the stress distribution with adherend thickness ratio and adhesive layer thickness. Apparently, the effect of the adhesive layer thickness is small.