• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2022

The use of composite patches for the reduction of stresses at the level of the damaged zone in aeronautical structures has experienced rapid expansion given its advantages over conventional mechanical processes (riveting, bolting, etc.). Initially, The research axes in this field were aimed at choosing suitable mechanical properties for the composite and the adhesive, then to optimize the shape of the composite patch in order to ensure good load transfer and avoid having a debonding at the level of the edges essentially for the case of a repair by single side where the bending moment is present due to the non-symmetry of the structure. Our work falls within this context; the objective is to analyze by the finite element method the fracture behavior of a damaged plate repaired by composite patch. Stress reduction at the edge is accomplished by creating a variable angle chamfer on the composite patch. The effects of the crack length, the laminate sequence and the nature of the patch as well as the use of a hybrid patch were investigated. The results show clearly that a beveled patch reduces the stress concentrations in the damaged area and even at its edges. The hybrid patch also ensures good durability of the repair by optimizing its stacking sequence and the location of the different layers according to the fibers orientations.