Optimisation of composite patches repairs with the design of experiments method

Composite patches have been recognized as a judicious and effective way of repairing cracks or defects. The determination of the stress intensity factor K at the crack tip is obtained with the use of the finite element method. The run of different simulations allow us to analyse the effect of different parameters that affect this factor such as the size and the intrinsic properties of the adhesive, the patch and the plate. In this paper, we utilise the experimental design method to investigate the effect of these parameters in order to achieve an optimisation of the repair operation. The case taken into consideration is the mode I. We were able to determine which of these parameters are most effective in reaching our goal and which ones should be adjusted to improve the quality of the patch. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.