Analytical approach to estimate SIF values for damaged steel plates repaired by CFRP laminate

Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have shown great promise in enhancing the fatigue life of metallic structures. Stress intensity factor (SIF) is a key parameter to analyze the progress of crack development using linear elastic fracture mechanics. Much research has been done focusing on the fatigue life and the SIF value of CFRP strengthened metallic elements. However, most of these studies relied on the experimental and numerical methods, which are expensive and time-consuming. This paper aims to develop an analytical approach to estimate the SIF value of CFRP repaired steel plate. The results from the analytical method compared well with these obtained using the finite element method, which demonstrated the analytical model was applicable in SIF prediction.