• 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.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.1A
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• pp.11-18
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• 2012

This paper deals with the numerical determination of the stress intensity factors of cracked aluminum plates under the mixed mode of $K_I$ and $K_{II}$ in glass-epoxy fiber reinforced composites. For the stress intensity factors, two different models are reviewed such as VCCT and two-step extension method. The p-convergent partial layerwise model is adopted to determine the fracture parameters in terms of energy release rates and stress intensity factors. The p-convergent approach is based on the concept of subparametric element. In assumed displacement field, strain-displacement relations and 3-D constitutive equations of a layer are obtained by combination of 2-D and 1-D higher-order shape functions. In the elements, Lobatto shape functions and Gauss-Lobatto technique are employed to interpolate displacement fields and to implement numerical quadrature. Using the models and techniques considered, effects of composite laminate configuration according to inclined angles and adhesive properties on the performance of bonded composite patch are investigated. In addition to these, the out-of-plane bending effect has been investigated across the thickness of patch repaired laminate plates due to the change of neutral axis. The present model provides accuracy and simplicity in terms of stress intensity factors, stress distribution, number of degrees of freedom, and energy release rates as compared with previous works in literatures.