Numerical analysis for the determination of the stress intensity factors and crack opening displacements in plates repaired with single and double composite patches

In this study, the numerical behaviour of centrally cracked aluminium panels repaired with single and double sided composite graphite/epoxy patches and subjected to uni-axial loading is investigated. The stress intensity factors are computed for panels repaired with 12 ply and 14-ply repair patches and having different adhesive thicknesses. It is shown that there are considerable differences between the stress intensity factors and crack opening displacements for two patch thicknesses and various adhesive thicknesses.