Experimental analysis of metal-composite repair of floating offshore units (FPSO).

This work presents the analysis of the fatigue behaviour of a repaired metal-composite panel under mixed-mode loading conditions and also discusses a composite repair of the damaged tube on an offshore unit application. A carbon steel plate (A36) as a parent substrate and an epoxy resin was used. The composite material for the repair was a biaxial +45°/−45° non-crimp carbon fabric. Static and dynamic three-point bending tests were performed. It was found that the fatigue load must be lower than 60% of the static load for fatigue life >105, as recommended by Det Norske Veritas (DNV). It is likely that the findings of this study will be a boost to improve the understanding of the long-term performance of bonded repair in an offshore environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]