Numerical study of bonded composite patch repair in damaged laminate composites

The present study deals with the repair of composite structures by bonding composite patches. The composite structure is a carbon/epoxy laminate with stacking sequence [45/-45/0/90]S. The damaged zone is simulated by a central crack and repaired by bonding symmetrical composite patches. The repair is carried out using composite patches laminated from the same elemental folds as those of the cracked specimen. Three-dimensional finite element method is used to determine the energy release rate along the front of repaired crack. The effects of the repair technique used single or double patch, the stacking sequence of the cracked composite patch and the adhesive properties were highlighted on the variations of the fracture energy in mode I and mixed mode I + II loading.