Numerical Simulation of Asymmetric Composite Patch Repair for Fatigue Damaged Aluminum Plate

Abstract

Repairing structures damaged by fatigue through the use of composite patch bonding is an efficient and economical process to preserve structures and increase their lifespan. Much work is currently being carried out to improve this technique. In this work, a 3D nonlinear numerical simulation by finite element analysis was carried out to study the behavior of the crack front and determine the evolution of the stress intensity factor and the change of stresses with respect to distance from the crack point. for an aluminum alloy plate containing a central crack, repaired asymmetrically with a composite patch. The repair of these plates must be more precise and reinforced around the crack point, therefore the stresses are high and the stress integrity factor SIF is more important according to the results of this study.