Using　a　three-dimensional　finite　element　analysis　(FEA)　method,　the　effect　of　elastic　modulus　and　thickness　of　adhesives　on　the　stress　distribution　in　weld-bonded　joints　was　studied　to　address　the　role　of　adhesive　layer.　Normal　stress　and　shear　stress　distributed　at　the　edges　of　a　spot　weld　and　in　the　lap　region　were　computed　for　weld-bonded　joints　made　with　adhesives　of　different　elastic　moduli　or　thicknesses.　The　results　showed　great　stress　concentration　at　the　edge　of　the　spot　weld　in　weld-bonded　joints　when　the　adhesive　layer　was　thick　or　had　a　low　elastic　modulus.　Shear　stress　values　in　adhesive　layers　were　low　under　the　same　circumstances.　Stress　concentration　around　the　spot　weld　was　reduced　and　the　shear　stress　in　the　adhesive　layer　was　increased　by　increasing　the　elastic　modulus　or　decreasing　the　thickness　of　the　adhesive　layer.　An　adhesive　layer　with　appropriate　thickness　and　elastic　modulus　is　necessary　to　obtain　reasonable　distribution　of　stresses　in　the　whole　lap　region　of　a　weld-bonded　joint.　A　thin　adhesive　layer　of　high　elastic　modulus　is　favorable　to　the　fatigue　properties　of　weld-bonded　joints,　and　it　is　recommended　on　certain　conditions.