The role of patch hybridization on tensile response of cracked panel repaired with hybrid composite patch: experimental and numerical investigation

This article presents a distinct perspective of structural repair by bonding the hybrid composite patch. A novel hybrid composite patch is prepared from the carbon and glass fibers to repair the cracked panel. Different volume fractions of constituents are maintained to prepare the composite patch with varying stiffness. The elastic constant of the composite patch is derived by applying the rule of hybrid mixture and modified Halpin Tsai equation. The stress intensity factor in the panel and interfacial stresses in the adhesive layer are evaluated to assess repair efficiency and repair durability. Effects of the elastic modulus of the adhesive on the performance of composite patch repair are demonstrated. The load carrying capacity and failure strength are examined for variation in patch stiffness. The disbonded surface morphology is investigated through scanning electron microscopy after failure. The results reveal that the hybrid composite patch provided sufficient reinforcement to reduce the stress intensity and interfacial stresses. Patch hybridization has offered a pragmatic solution and proposed as an alternative patch material to repair the cracked structure.