Effects of ply thickness and 0°-layer ratio on failure mechanism of open-hole and filled-hole tensile tests of thin-ply composite laminates. (15th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aoki, Ryoma; Higuchi, Ryo; Yokozeki, Tomohiro; Aoki, Kazuyuki; Uchiyama, Shigekazu; Ogasawara, Toshio
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 280(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01-15
• Subjects: Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) -- Strength -- Damage observation -- Finite element analysis (FEA); Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114926
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Abstract: Thin-ply technology provides increasing possibilities for composite structures, expanding the design space for ply thickness and laminate layup. This study examines the effects of ply thickness and the 0°-layer ratio on the strength and damage behavior of thin-ply composite laminates. We conducted open-hole tensile (OHT) and filled-hole tensile (FHT) tests on laminates with various ply thicknesses and 0°-layer ratios, observing the internal damage via X-ray radiography. It was confirmed that the damage retardation effect of the thin-ply reduced both the OHT and FHT strengths. Furthermore, the results revealed that laminates with a higher 0°-layer ratio have higher strengths and the failure of laminates with a higher 0°-layer ratio transitioned to splitting-dominated failure. Finite element analysis of the fastener restraint indicated that the fastener restraint alleviated the stress concentration in the 0°-layer around the hole, potentially leading to a difference in the OHT and FHT strengths.