Failure Criteria for Structural Joints

Structural joints are often subjected to complex multiaxial state of stresses. In design, however, the ultimate load carrying capacity is roughly estimated by limiting the simple tensile, compressive and shear stresses of substrate or adhesive materials.Adhesive materials have different properties from concrete. Generally their tensile to compressive strengths ratio is more favourable than for concrete. The evaluation of adhesive materials is done in laboratory tests under simplified states of stresses, different from the states in application.This paper presents an analysis of the state of stresses in certain laboratory tests applying the failure criteria for each part of the joint. The limitation of these tests in application is also pointed out.