Failure analysis of laminated composite plates with two parallel pin-loaded holes

Abstract

The aim of this study is to research the failure loads and failure modes of laminated woven-glass-polyester composite plates with two parallel circular holes, which are subjected to traction forces by two rigid pins. The failure behavior of two parallel pin-loaded composite plates has been observed both experimentally and numerically with different geometries and fiber orientations. While the plate width to hole diameter ratio (W/D) was held constant; the distance from the free edge of the plate to hole diameter ratio (E/D) was changed from 1 to 5, and the distance between two parallel holes to hole diameter ratio (M/D) was varied from 2 to 5. Two different ply orientations were also investigated as [0 degrees](8) and [0 degrees(2)/60 degrees(2)/](s). In a numerical study, a three-dimensional finite element method (FEM) was used with the assistance of a LUSAS 13.6 finite element analysis program. Good agreement has been shown between experimental and numerical results.