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Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 63, Number 3, August10 2017 , pages 361-370
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2017.63.3.361
 


Experimental and numerical disbond localization analyses of a notched plate repaired with a CFRP patch
Sahli Abderahmane, Bouziane M. Mokhtar, Benbarek Smail, Steven F. Wayne, Liang Zhang, Bachir Bouiadjra Belabbes and Serier Boualem

 
Abstract
    Through the use of finite element analysis and acoustic emission techniques we have evaluated the interfacial failure of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) repair patch on a notched aluminum substrate. The repair of cracks is a very common and widely used practice in the aeronautics field to extend the life of cracked sheet metal panels. The process consists of adhesively bonding a patch that encompasses the notched site to provide additional strength, thereby increasing life and avoiding costly replacements. The mechanical strength of the bonded joint relies mainly on the bonding of the adhesive to the plate and patch stiffness. Stress concentrations at crack tips promote disbonding of the composite patch from the substrate, consequently reducing the bonded area, which makes this a critical aspect of repair effectiveness. In this paper we examine patch disbonding by calculating the influence of notch tip stress on disbond area and verify computational results with acoustic emission (AE) measurements obtained from specimens subjected to uniaxial tension. The FE results showed that disbonding first occurs between the patch and the substrate close to free edge of the patch followed by failure around the tip of the notch, both highest stress regions. Experimental results revealed that cement adhesion at the aluminum interface was the limiting factor in patch performance. The patch did not appear to strengthen the aluminum substrate when measured by stress-strain due to early stage disbonding. Analysis of the AE signals provided insight to the disbond locations and progression at the metaladhesive interface. Crack growth from the notch in the aluminum was not observed until the stress reached a critical level, an instant before final fracture, which was unaffected by the patch due to early stage disbonding. The FE model was further utilized to study the effects of patch fiber orientation and increased adhesive strength. The model revealed that the effectiveness of patch repairs is strongly dependent upon the combined interactions of adhesive bond strength and fiber orientation.
 
Key Words
    bonded/unbonded prestressing; composites; crack/damage detection/identification; finite element method (FEM); simulation
 
Address
Sahli Abderahmane, Bouziane M. Mokhtar, Benbarek Smail, Bachir Bouiadjra Belabbes and Serier Boualem: Laboratoire Mécanique Physique des Matériaux (LMPM), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sidi Bel Abbes, Sidi Bel Abbes 22000, Algeria
Steven F. Wayne, Liang Zhang: Medical Acoustic Laboratory, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
 

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