Objectives  In order to investigate the ultimate strength of CFRP-reinforced cracked stiffened panel in ship structure repair process,

  Methods  in this paper, nonlinear finite element method is used to analyze the ultimate strength of CFRP-reinforced cracked stiffened panels subjected to axial compressive loads. Based on CFRP-reinforced cracked stiffened panel model, we compare the simulation results with the recorded test results, to verify the accuracy of the proposed method. By using double-side CFRP -reinforced cracked stiffened panel as the example, we study the ultimate strength of stiffened panel, and the peeling mechanism and the stress of the adhesive layer were analyzed.

  Results  The results show that the ultimate strength of CFRP-reinforced cracked stiffened panels is significantly increased, and is close to the ultimate strength of stiffened panel with geometric initial defects; CFRP repairs the debonding of cracked stiffened panel after the ultimate strength is achieved.

  Conclusions  The repair of the cracked stiffened panel by using CFRP can enhance the ultimate strength. It may provide guidance for the ships and offshore structure repair.