Charpy Impact Response of the Cracked Aluminum Plates Repaired with FML Patches using the Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Here, the effect of fiber metal laminate (FMLs) patches was studied for repairing of single-sided cracked aluminum plates experimentally to see their response to Charpy impact tests. The main desired parameters were composite patch lay-up, crack length, and crack angle each one in three levels. All experimental attempts generated and followed based on the design of experiments method by using of response surface methodology. The predicted energy absorption values obtained from the model were in good agreement with the experimental results. No matter the specimens were repaired or not, as the crack length was increased the energy absorption of the structure was decreased. The experimental results also showed that for lengthen cracks, increasing of the crack angle had more effect on energy absorption. Also it was observed that the patch lay-up effective on the impact response of the specimens. The more the metal layer was departed from the aluminum plate and the FML patches interfacial surface, the less energy was absorbed in the structure.