Material parameter modeling and solution technique using birth–death element for notched metallic panel repaired with bonded composite patch

This paper seeks to outline a novel three-layer model and a new birth–death element solution technique to evaluate static strength of notched metallic panel repaired with bonded composite patch and to optimize material parameters. The higher order 3D, 8-node isotropic solid element and 8-node anisotropic layered solid element with three degrees of freedom per node are respectively implemented to model substrate panel, adhesive layer and composite patch to establish three-layer model of repaired panel. The new solving technique based on birth–death element is developed to allow solution of the stress pattern of repaired panel for identifying failure mode. The new model and its solution are used to model failure mode and residual strength of repaired panel, and the obtained results have a good agreement with the experimental findings. Finally, the influences of material parameter of adhesive layer and composite patch on the residual strength of repaired panel are investigated for optimizing material properties to meet operational and environmental constraints.