Experimental and numerical investigation of fatigue crack growth in aluminum plates repaired by FML composite patch
International Journal of Structural Integrity
ISSN: 1757-9864
Article publication date: 11 November 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use the fiber metal laminates (FML) composites as a patch for repairing a single notched specimen made of AL1035 aluminum alloy. The FML composite patch was bonded on one side of the cracked specimens by adhesive Araldite 2015. Then the fatigue crack growth tests were conducted on the specimens and the effects of both FML patch lay-up sequence and pre-crack angle on the fatigue life were investigated. Finally, the effect of repairing on the fracture parameters (SIF and crack propagation direction) at the crack front has also been calculated using three-dimensional finite element analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
The fatigue crack growth tests were conducted on the specimens and the effects of both FML patch lay-up sequence and pre-crack angle on the fatigue life were investigated.
Findings
The results show that the fatigue life of the patched specimens with inclined crack increased approximately 2-6.02 times compared to the un-patched specimens. In addition, the fatigue crack growth rate decreased significantly when the patch was used. Generally, the FML patch with Plate-Fiber-Fiber-AL lay-up has more efficiency than other lay-up sequences.
Originality/value
Recently, composite patches are used in the structure repair processes to increase the service life of cracked components. The bonded patch method is one of the efficient methods among repairing methods. Today, the FMLs are used in the aircraft structures as a replacement of high-strength aluminum alloys due to their lightweight and high-strength properties. Many researches have been performed on single and double side repaired panels using composite patches. In this study, the FML composites have been used as a patch for repairing a single notched specimen made of AL1035 aluminum alloy.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is supported by the Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University under contract number 29327/7.
Citation
Rahmani Kalestan, M., Moayeri Kashani, H., Pourkamali Anaraki, A. and Ashena Ghasemi, F. (2014), "Experimental and numerical investigation of fatigue crack growth in aluminum plates repaired by FML composite patch", International Journal of Structural Integrity, Vol. 5 No. 4, pp. 242-252. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSI-08-2013-0019
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited