The stresses in a thermally loaded bimaterial interface

The conditions of equilibrium at a thermally loaded interface are considered in detail. A series of numerical models are presented to illustrate the nature of the stress system at the interface. These consist of two- and three-dimensional finite element case studies which show the limitations of existing approximate analytical solutions, and document the presence of very large normal stress gradients. The stress systems determined in the finite element calculations are in agreement with those of an experimental investigation which documented a change in sign of the stress normal to the interface, on either side of it, but which had insufficient resolution to detect the reversal of the stress which is needed to satisfy equilibrium. The implications of these large stress gradients are discussed in terms of problems involving laminated fiber composites and general bimaterial interfaces.