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Bonded composite repair of cracked load-bearing holes

Journal Article · · Engineering Fracture Mechanics
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Aeronautical Research Lab., Melbourne (Australia)

Externally bonded composite repairs have recently been shown to be an effective technique for repairing a range of structural problems associated with cracked or damaged aircraft components, including multi-site damage in cracked fuselage lap-joints. This paper attempts to further clarify the mechanisms by which these repairs work. The results are presented of a combined numerical and experimental investigation into the use of bonded repairs for a load-bearing hole containing a single `through-thickness` crack. The specimen was repaired with bonded boron/epoxy doublers and a steel sleeve insert. Constant amplitude fatigue tests were performed, on both the repaired and unrepaired specimens, and the resultant fatigue-crack-growth data are presented. This crack-growth data is then correlated with the stress intensity factors obtained from a three-dimensional finite element analysis. 13 refs.

OSTI ID:
53415
Journal Information:
Engineering Fracture Mechanics, Journal Name: Engineering Fracture Mechanics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 48; ISSN 0013-7944; ISSN EFMEAH
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English