NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE REPAIR IMPACT OF ARROW-SHAPED AND HEXAGONAL GLASS-EPOXY COMPOSITE PATCHES

Abstract

Composites as materials with superior characteristics have proved their effectiveness in maintaining of damaged components, especially in aeronautical applications. Within the current research, the arrow-shaped and hexagon glass-epoxy composite patches with fibers orientations angles of 0,90 and -45,45 are employed with the aim of repairing the cracked aluminum alloy 7075 specimens. Total number of 28 one-sided repaired aluminum samples with 30 mm of crack length situated within the center, are prepared to undergo uniaxial tensile loading using the 600 KN santam testing machine. Additionally, to the experimental tests, the Abaqus software is employed so on simulate the testing conditions numerically with XFEM (Extended finite element method) technique. Findings indicate that the arrow-shaped composite patches have higher efficiency of repair and sturdiness compared to ones with hexagonal geometry. Also, by decrease in measurements of the repair patch geometry, the upper tensile load is handled. Specimens repaired with glass-epoxy composites fibers orientation angle of -45,45 degree are extended more, but can withstand lower tensile loading.