| Repairability is an essential element in the effective use of composite components. Composite structures offer significant benefits over metallic components in terms of lighter weight, fatigue and corrosion resistance. Composite designs are usually tailored to maximize performance by defining application dependent materials, ply orientation, stiffening concepts, and attachment mechanisms. High performance designs are often less supportable due to increased strain levels, fewer redundant load paths, and a mix of highly tailored materials and geometries.;This thesis provides guidelines and repair procedures for design of prepreg repair patch. It also emphasizes on step sanding (per ply) of the repair edges to achieve an optimum load transfer. Advantages of pre-cured patch over a co-cured patch for large size damage are also shown. These techniques are not new, however it is not customary to see a repair to advanced composite structure that has utilized the combination of these methods. |
