Restoration of the mechanical performance of damaged Al panels using bonded composite repair patches

The paper presents a study upon the behaviour of repaired Al panels under lateral pressure loads, in which various geometries and materials are used for the bonded composite repair patches. The repaired part of the panel is considered in central and side positions. The numerical simulations were validated by experiments in a number of cases, and then used to evaluate the whole proposed range of repair patching configurations. In all key studies, the stress distribution in the adhesive layer and restoration of the mechanical performance at the level of the pristine panel were assessed, in order to make possible the establishment of margins of safety for a wider range of repair patching parameters or configurations.