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Abstract

Mixed-mode I-II crack growth in a bio-based wood adhesive bondline was investigated using a three-dimensional finite-element model with a cohesive zone formulation. Cohesive parameters - including strengths, onset displacements and fracture energies - were obtained directly from double cantilever beam experiments with uneven bending moments. These experimentally derived parameters were then implemented in the finite element model without any calibration to fit the global response, as the aim was to validate the modelling approach rather than to identify material parameters. The model reproduced stable delamination, captured the expected variation in fracture-process-zone size, provided insight into the distribution and magnitude of normal and shear stresses along the bondline from crack initiation through propagation, and showed good agreement with the global experimental response in opening-dominated (nominal Mode I) loading (phase angles psi = 0 degrees and 41 degrees). In shear-dominated mixed-mode loading (psi = 69 degrees, 85 degrees and 89 degrees), fracture resistance was overpredicted, attributed to large fracture process zones and model simplifications. Overall, the results demonstrate that a relatively simple cohesive zone model, when driven by experimentally derived cohesive laws, can capture the key trends in mixed-mode fracture response of wood-adhesive bonds.

Keywords

Benzeggagh-Kenane (BK) criterion; cohesive zone model (CZM); finite element method (FEM); fracture; traction-separation (sigma-delta) law

Published in

Wood Material Science and Engineering
2026
Publisher: TAYLOR AND FRANCIS LTD

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Bio Materials
Wood Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17480272.2026.2634892

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/146627