Analysis of composite patches for ship plating fracture repair

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Analysis of composite patches for ship plating fracture repair

Edwards, M. / Karr, D.G.

Adhesively bonded composite patches used as crack arrestors are investigated in the context of marine repair. Such repairs have been proven effective in various industrial applications. A steel plate with a center crack and graphite/epoxy patsch is used in the analysis. The plate is exposed to typical stresses associated with a Trans-Alaskan Pipeline Service tanker bottom shell in the loaded condition. A three-dimensional finite element model is used to explore the effects of different composite material lay up and geometry. As the crack increases in length, the load on the plate is partially transferred to the patch. An adhesive layer serves to transmit this load. The resulting lower stress distribution in the plate and the constraint provided by the patch may prevent further crack growth. Using strain energy formulations, the stress intensity factor for mode I fracture and life cycle prediction are used as metrics for repair comparison. These repairs can be an efficient, economical, and expedient way to extend time between major structural repair.