Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Test Methods for Evaluating Shear Strength of Ceramic Composite Joints Using Interface Element

As examples of the most typical methods to determine the shear strength of ceramic composite joints, the asymmetrical four point bending test of butt joined SiC/SiC composite, the tensile test of lap joined SiC/SiC composite and the compressive test ofdouble-notched SiC/SiC composite joint were analyzed by using finite element method with the interface element. From the calculation results, it was found that the shear strength in the asymmetrical bending test was controlled by both the surface energy and the shear strength at the interface regardless of their combination although the strength in the tensile test or in the compressive test was governed by the surface energy when the shear strength was large. Also, it was found that the apparent shear strength of the composite joint obtained experimentally was affected by the combination of the surface energy and the shear strength at the interface and this effect could be revealed by numerical analyses using the interface element.