Progressive damage and failure prediction of open hole tension and open hole compression specimens

Abstract

Progressive damage and failure in open hole composite laminate coupons under tensile and compressive loading conditions is modeled using Enhanced Schapery Theory (EST). The input parameters required for EST are obtained using standard coupon level test data and are interpreted in conjunction with finite element (FE) based simulations. The ca-pability of EST to perform the open hole strength prediction accurately is demonstrated using three different layups of IM7/8552 carbon fiber composite. A homogenized approach uses a single composite shell element to represent the entire laminate in the thickness di-rection and this requires the fiber direction fracture toughness to be modeled as a laminateproperty. The results obtained using the EST method agree quite well with experimental results. © 2015, by Ashith Joseph, Anthony M. Waas, Wooseok Ji, Evan Pineda, Salvatore Liguore and Steven Wanthal.