OPTIMIZATION OF SHEAR AND PEEL STRESSES IN DOUBLE-L-BRACKET JOINTS USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

This study aims to optimize the design parameters of a double-L-bracket joint using an analytical approach combined with Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The focus is on minimizing the joint’s shear and peel stresses, which are critical for adhesive joint integrity. A Bigwood & Crocombe analytical model was employed to simulate the stress distributions in the joint under various geometrical configurations and loading conditions. Six factors, including joint height (H), vertical arm length (L1), horizontal arm length (L2), adhesive thickness (Tg), shear force (Fx), and peel force (Fz), were analyzed. A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used to generate 54 configurations, and the resulting stress responses were modeled through quadratic regression models. The analysis reveals that horizontal arm length (L2), adhesive thickness (Tg), and applied forces (Fx and Fz) significantly influence the stress levels in the joint. The optimization results indicate that reducing L2 and increasing Tg can effectively minimize both shear and peel stresses. The optimized configuration achieves a peel stress of 1.450 MPa and a shear stress of 2.120 MPa, both of which align closely with analytical predictions. The close agreement between RSM-based predictions and analytical calculations validates the robustness of the model. This optimization provides valuable insights for improving the structural performance of adhesive joints in practical applications.