Composite patch adhesively bonded repair is an advanced repairing method for damaged metallic structure, and patch designing is important before repairing, which decides final repairing effect. Based on 3D FEM, the model of aluminum plate with a central through crack adhesively bonded repaired with composite patch was established, which can take into account residual thermal stress and bending deformation caused by differences of thermal expansion coefficient. SIF was calculated using virtual crack closure technology and compared to evaluate patch designing. The results show that for through centrally cracked aluminum plate, rectangle boron/epoxy patch is the best, and more plies whose fiber direction is parallel to loading direction are, better repairing can be got.
Bonded repair issues for composites: An investigation approach based on infrared thermography