This paper investigates fracture prediction of adhesively bonded structures using energy release rates. Novel closed-form formulations for calculating energy release rates of adhesive joints and interlaminar delamination are presented and then used to discuss fracture predictions. In the present formulation, the Timoshenko beam is used to model substrates, and an interface between the substrates is described using the adhesive model with two-parameter elastic medium. The energy release rates are initially given for adhesive joints and thereafter are derived for interface fracture by letting the adhesive thickness approach zero. The numerical results are presented for cohesive fracture of an adhesive joint, delamination or interface fracture. (c) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009