Elastic-plastic Analysis of Bonded Composite Repair in Cracked Welded Structures

Abstract

The present paper employs the 3D finite element method to investigate the elastic-plastic behavior of repaired cracks in welded structures reinforced with bonded composite patches. The analysis is based on the J-integral, an important parameter for crack tip characterization. Two different patch configurations are considered: single and double symmetric patches. The effect of patch thickness, adhesive properties and the mechanical behavior of weld-metal on the J-integral variation are systematically evaluated. The results revealed that the double symmetric patch configuration excels over a single patch in terms of improving repair efficiency. Additionally, it is found that the mechanical behavior of weld-metal plays a crucial role in determining the performance of the reinforced welded structures.