Abstract
In this study, the effects of hygrothermal aging of composite patches and adhesives on the plasticity ahead of repaired crack with bonded composite patch were analyzed. The Enite element method was used to compute the size and the shape of the plastic zone for cracks repaired with bonded hygrothermal aged composite patches and adhesives. The obtained results show that moisture absorption has a negative effect on the repair performance. Indeed, the size of plastic zone increases with an increase in the rate of water absorption whether in composite patches or in adhesives. The reduction of the composite patches and adhesive strength by the water absorption leads to a reduction of the repair performances.