Prediction of Notched Strength of Laminated Fibre Composites Under Tensile Loading Conditions

Prediction of Notched Strength of
Laminated Fibre Composites under

Tensile Loading Conditions
V.K. SRIVASTAVA AND DEEPAK KUMAR
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Institute of Technology
BHU Varanasi 221 005, India
(Received March 22, 2000)
ABSTRACT: A modified point stress criterion for predicting the notched strength
of glass fibre and carbon fibre laminated composites containing through the
thickness centrally located circular or elliptical hole or a center crack is presented
here. The effects of hole size and specimen width on the fracture behaviour of several
woven fabric composite plates are presented here. It is shown that in the point
stress criterion the characteristic length (d0) depends on the hole size as well as width
of the plate. The analytical based results are in good agreement with existing test
results.
INTRODUCTION
been made to find out the notched strength of laminated
composites containing through the thickness discontinuities. Wadous et al [1] were
among the first to apply Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) to notched
composites. Wu [2] has formulated a failure criterion and established that crack
propagation was characterised by failure within a critical volume. Crack tip stress
analysis was used here. The stress intensity approach to fracture of laminated composites
containing a circular hole or a crack was used by Holdsworth and Owen [3]. The problem
of whether LEFM established for metal materials are applicable to fibre composites have
long been investigated by many researchers [48].
A simple analytical model was presented by Whitney and Nuismer [9,10]. Two related
criteria (point stress criterion and average stress criterion) based on stress distribution were
presented for predicting the uniaxial tensile strength of laminated composites containing
through the thickness discontinuities of a general shape. This model is a two-parameter
(unnotched tensile strength and characteristic length) model, which is capable of
predicting observed discontinuity size effects without resorting to classical concept of
linear elastic fracture mechanics. In this model characteristic length was assumed as a
UMEROUS EFFORTS HAVE
Journal of COMPOSITE MATERIALS, Vol. 36, No. 09/2002

0021-9983/02/09 112113 $10.00/0
DOI: 10.1106/002199802023581
2002 Sage Publications
Downloaded from jcm.sagepub.com at VITERBO UNIV on January 15, 2015
1121
1122
V.K. SRIVASTAVA
AND
DEEPAK KUMAR
material property and is independent of hole size or geometry of the plate. The simplicity
of the analytical approach coupled with generality make it of practical value to the
designer. Two related criteria were postulated for predicting the strength of laminated
composites containing through the thickness discontinuities.
In the point stress criterion, it was assumed that failure occurs when the stress at some
fixed distance (d0) away from the discontinuity is equal to unnotched strength of the
material. It was further assumed that the characteristic length (d0) is a material property
and is independent of hole size or geometry of the plate.
In the average stress criterion, it was assumed that failure occurs when the average stress
over some distance (a0) ahead of hole boundary, equals the unnotched strength of the
material. It was further assumed that this characteristic length (a0) is a material property
and is independent of hole size or geometry of specimen. Thus each criterion is a twoparameter model, one is the unnotched strength and other is characteristic length. But the
results of this model were not very close to the experimental results.
Pipes et al. have proposed a modified point stress criterion for a laminated composite
containing a central crack [11]. They have assumed the characteristic length as a function
of half of the crack length i.e.,
d0 cm =k
where, c is half of the crack length. m and k are constants.
The point stress criterion was extended for the plate containing an elliptical or circular
hole or a centre crack. Here again the characteristic length was assumed constant for a particular material [12]. This model was also modified by the same investigator. It was assumed
that characteristic length is a function of size of the hole as well as aspect ratio [13].
i:e:, d0 ma=ar n b=as
where, a is half of the hole size, ar is reference hole size, b/a is aspect ratio, m, n and s are
the constants for a particular material. ar is used for non dimensionalize the ratio and is
taken equal to one. In this model, size of the specimen was not considered and the results
are not well related with existing results. Notched strength prediction of laminated
composites containing a circular hole was presented by Kim et al. [14], where characteristic
length was assumed as a function of hole size as well as width of the plate.
i:e:, d0 m2R=Wn
m and n are constants for a particular material and for a particular width of the plate. This
model gives an excellent agreement with the experimental results. But in this model, at
least three experimental results of notched and unnotched strength are needed for the
values of constants m and n. One for the unnotched strength and two for notched strength
of the material for a particular width of the plate.
In the present work experimental data are taken from [14]. The expression for
characteristic length given by Tan [13] is used, but in this model it is assumed that m and n
are constant for a particular material and for particular width of the plate. For a
particular material, it is not necessary to consider effect of width on unnotched strength of
plate. Because notched strength for infinite width plate depends on two parameters
Prediction of Notched Strength of Laminated Fibre Composites
1123
i.e., unnotched strength and characteristic length. As the unnotched strength decreases,
characteristic length increases and vice-versa and hence notched strength for infinite width
plate remains constant, which is multiplied by FWC factor to get the notched strength for
finite width plate [1517].
ANALYTICAL WORK
General Stress Criterion
The normal stress y x,0 of a laminate with origin at the centre of the ellipse, as shown
Figure 1, is given by [12]

p
2

1

2
2 1 2
y x,0
1
p
1

p2
y
2 1 2 2 1 2
2 1 2 3=2 2 1 2

7
2
5
72
KT1 1

2 1 2 7=2 2 1 2 9=2
2
where, b/a, x/a and y is the stress applied at infinity. The stress concentration
factor (SCF), KT1 for orthotopic plate can be written as [12]
KT1
s

A11 A22 A212
1
2 p
1
A11 A22 A12
A22
2A66
where subscript 1 and 2 denote the directions parallel and transverse to the applied stress
respectively. Aij denote the inplane stiffness of the laminate and is given by [16].
Figure 1. An infinite orthotropic laminate containing an elliptical opening where denotes the ply orientation.
1124
V.K. SRIVASTAVA
AND
DEEPAK KUMAR
EXTENDED POINT STRESS CRITERION

Based on the point stress fracture criterion, it is assumed that laminate will fail when
the stress at some distance d0 away from the opening edge and on the axis normal to the
loading reaches unnotched laminate strength i.e.,
y a d0 ,0 0
Substituting n1 , 0 and (a d0)/a into Equation (1) to replace y , y and we obtain
0
1
q
1 q
N1
2 1 2 1 2 1 2
1
q

2 1 11 2 12 1 2
q

12 1 2 3=2 11 12 1 2
)

(
1
12
7
2
5
7

1
1

KT1 1

12 1 2 7=2 12 1 2 9=2
2
where N1 and 0 denote the ultimate notched and unnotched strength respectively and
1
a
a d0
When 1, a circular hole, the above Equation (4) is reduced to

N1
2

0
2 12 314 KT1 3516 718
When 0, a crack, the above Equation (4) becomes

N1
0
q
1 12
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Results
Mechanical properties of plain woven glass/epoxy (Vf 62%), satin woven glass/
polyster (Vf 60 and 44.5%) and plain woven carbon/epoxy (Vf 60%) composites are
shown in Table 1. These materials are used for the investigation in present analytical work.
1125

Table 1. Elastic Properties [14].
Materials
Glass/epoxy
Glass/polyster
Glass/polyster
Carbon/epoxy
Vf (%)
Exx (GPa)
Eyy (GPa)
Gxy (Gpa)
xy
t (mm)
62
60
44.5
60
23.6
21.6
14.7
56.7
23.6
21.6
14.7
56.7
4.0
3.9
2.7
8.7
0.11
0.16
0.17
0.22
2.0
2.3
2.3
1.2
Figure 2. Log (1/R) vs. log (1/d0) for glass/epoxy composite.
Figure 2 shows the relationship between characteristic length (d0) and hole size
(R) for glass/epoxy composites for 10, 20 and 40 mm respectively. The characteristic
length increases with hole size, which satisfies the assumptions made here. The
experimental and analytical results for glass/epoxy composites for 10, 20 and 40 mm
are presented in Table 2. Comparison of experimental and analytical results for
glass/epoxy composites for 10, 20 and 40 mm width are shown Figure 3. The dark
diagonal line represents the line where analytical results equal to the experimental
results.
Figures 47 show the relationship between characteristic length (d0) and hole size
(R) for glass/polyster composites for Vf 60 and 44.5% respectively. It shows a clear
correlation between characteristic length and hole size which satisfies the assumptions
made here. The experimental and analytical results for glass/polyster composites for
Vf 60% and Vf 44.5% are shown in Tables 3 and 4 respectively.
The graphs between characteristic length (d0) and hole size (R) for carbon/epoxy
composites for 10 and 20 mm widths are shown in Figure 8. The figure satisfies the
assumptions made here. The analytical and experimental results for carbon/epoxy
1126
V.K. SRIVASTAVA
AND
DEEPAK KUMAR
Table 2.
Test Results of Glass/Epoxy Composite [14]
Analytical Results
0 351.4 MPa
PSC
N1
W
(mm)
2R
(mm)
2R/W
N
(MPa)
(MPa)
% err.
Kim [14]
% err.
Tan [13]
% err.
Present
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.8
1.0
2.0
4.0
5.0
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.6
2.0
4.0
8.0
10.0
1.2
1.6
2.0
3.2
4.0
8.0
16.0
20.0
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.08
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.5
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.08
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.5
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.08
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.5
309.6
299.4
295.2
268.1
247.0
208.5
148.5
126.4
280.4
275.6
262.0
240.9
233.0
192.9
138.0
116.9
246.7
236.8
229.3
209.0
199.4
167.5
121.6
102.9
309.6
299.4
296.0
269.0
249.6
218.2
181.3
175.1
280.7
276.0
262.7
242.5
235.5
201.9
168.5
162.0
246.9
237.2
229.2
210.4
201.4
175.3
148.5
148.6
0.43
0.22
1.75
0.52
2.98
0.68
1.35
0.99
0.08
1.25
0.53
0.86
0.42
0.09
0.77
0.98
0.84
0.13
0.13
1.18
1.43
0.47
0.08
1.69
0.009
0.33
2.22
1.06
2.38
0.05
0.75
1.54
0.08
3.32
2.83
4.99
7.25
9.52
8.96
10.05
0.44
2.94
5.05
7.97
9.34
12.49
10.96
10.95
0.009
0.33
2.22
1.06
2.38
0.05
0.75
1.54
3.31
0.81
2.21
1.78
0.28
0.58
2.66
1.52
1.35
0.87
0.34
1.05
1.33
2.44
3.38
3.94
Figure 3. (notched/unnotched str.)exp. vs. (notched/unnotched str.)pre. for glass/epoxy composite.
1127
Figure 4. Log (1/R) vs. log (1/d0) for glass/polyster composite (Vf 60%).
Figure 5. (notched/unnotched str.)exp. vs. (notched/unnotched str.)pre. for glass/polyster composite

(Vf 60%).
composites for 10 and 20 mm width are presented in Table 5. The values of d0 for
carbon/epoxy composite for different widths and different hole sizes for Kims model
and present model are shown in Table 6. The values of m and n for different models are
shown in Table 7.
1128
V.K. SRIVASTAVA
AND
DEEPAK KUMAR
Figure 6. Log (1/R) vs. log (1/d0) for glass/polyster composite (Vf 44.5%).
Figure 7. (notched/unnotched str.)exp. vs. (notched/unnotched str.)pre. for glass/polyster composite

(Vf 44.5%).
DISCUSSION
It can be seen from the figures that the characteristic length (d0) is very well related to
the hole size. The values of characteristic length increases with increase of hole size. The
modification suggested here in [14] and [13] point stress criterion to estimate the
characteristic length for evaluations of notched tensile strength of laminates, have several
1129

Table 3.
Test Results of Glass/Polyster Composite (Vf 60%) [14]
Analytical Results
0 308.7 MPa
PSC
N1
W
(mm)
2R
(mm)
2R/W
N
(MPa)
(MPa)
% err.
Kim [14]
% err.
Tan [13]
% err.
Present
10
10
10
10
10
30
30
30
30
0.5
1.0
2.0
4.0
5.0
1.5
3.0
6.0
12.0
0.05
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.5
0.05
0.10
0.20
0.40
279.1
245.0
208.6
154.4
120.1
213.0
182.6
147.6
106.5
279.8
247.6
218.3
188.5
166.4
213.6
184.6
154.5
130
0.46
1.88
0.00
3.39
2.70
0.74
0.27
0.13
0.54
0.03
2.54
0.03
4.34
1.40
9.46
6.15
3.42
1.09
0.03
2.54
0.03
4.34
1.40
0.92
0.52
2.36
5.13
Table 4.
Test Results of Glass/Polyster Composite (Vf 44.5%) [14]
Analytical results
0 217.6 MPa
PSC
N1
W
(mm)
2R
(mm)
2R/W
N
(MPa)
(MPa)
% err.
Kim [14]
% err.
Tan [13]
% err.
Present
10
10
10
10
10
30
30
30
30
30
0.5
1.0
2.0
4.0
5.0
1.5
3.0
6.0
12.0
15.0
0.05
0.10
0.20
0.40
0.5
0.05
0.10
0.20
0.40
0.5
180.0
163.4
129.6
089.8
080.0
129.3
113.4
089.8
063.9
053.3
180.5
165.1
135.6
109.7
110.8
129.6
114.6
094.0
078.0
073.8
0.925
2.62
0.95
4.10
2.79
2.59
3.18
2.02
2.24
2.32
0.147
3.71
0.05
3.35
2.68
12.10
6.63
8.76
11.84
13.10
0.147
3.71
0.05
3.35
2.68
0.23
4.24
4.06
0.52
2.44
advantages compared to the existing theories. In Kim [14] model, characteristic length was
assumed as a function of hole size as well as width of the plate whereas Tan [13] model has
considered characteristic length as a function of only hole size. When the parameters are
changing for each width configuration, it will not be useful for the designer to design a
component in advance stage.
In the present study, a linear relationship is assumed between the characteristic length
and hole size. With this relationship the characteristic length can be expressed as a
function of notched strength of laminate composites.
Figures between (notched strength/unnotched strength) experimental and (notched
strength/unnotched strength) predicted shows the results are found to be in reasonably
good agreement with each other (Figure 9). The analytical results obtained from point
stress criterion by Kim [14] and Tan [13] are close to those obtained from present theory.
However, the percentage errors in present theory is less the Tan [13] theory. But present
theory is nearly equal to the Kim [14] theory.
1130
V.K. SRIVASTAVA
AND
DEEPAK KUMAR
Figure 8. Log (1/R) vs. log (1/d0) for carbon/epoxy composite.
Figure 9. (notched/unnotched str.)exp. vs. (notched/unnotched str.)pre. for carbon/epoxy composite.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the investigation reported in this work the following conclusions may be
drawn:
1. It is not necessary to consider the different unnotched strength for different width of the
plate for a particular material, whereas Kims model has considered the width effect on
unnotched strength.
2. Characteristic length for point stress criterion depends on hole size as well as width of
the plate i.e.,
d0 ma=ar n
1131

Table 5.
Test Results of Carbon/Epoxy
Composite [14]
Analytical
Results
0 596.2 MPa
PSC
N1
W
(mm)
2R
(mm)
2R/W
N
(MPa)
(MPa)
% err.
Kim [14]
% err.
Tan [13]
% err.
Present
10
10
10
10
10
20
20
20
20
20
0.5
1.0
2.0
4.0
5.0
1.0
2.0
4.0
8.0
10.0
0.05
0.10
0.20
0.40
0.5
0.05
0.10
0.20
0.40
0.5
567.4
507.3
435.2
308.1
262.2
530.8
449.2
371.6
267.5
232.8
568.9
512.7
455.4
375.9
362.9
532.2
454.0
388.8
326.4
321.8
0.87
1.87
0.42
0.61
2.84
1.98
3.29
3.26
0.88
4.50
0.01
2.69
0.001
2.19
3.41
1.07
0.306
5.44
12.7
18.29
0.01
2.69
0.001
2.19
3.41
0.50
0.33
1.13
0.99
3.51
Table 6. Experimental results of glass/epoxy composite.

2R
(mm)
d0 (mm)
Kim [14]
d0 (mm)
Present
W = 10 mm
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.8
1.0
2.0
4.0
5.0
0.20
0.22
0.26
0.29
0.28
0.38
0.47
0.53
0.20
0.22
0.26
0.29
0.28
0.38
0.47
0.53
W 20 mm
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.6
2.0
4.0
8.0
10.0
0.40
0.48
0.48
0.56
0.63
0.80
0.99
1.12
0.27
0.31
0.33
0.40
0.46
0.61
0.77
0.86
W 40 mm
1.2
1.6
2.0
3.2
4.0
8.0
16.0
20.0
0.89
0.93
1.04
1.16
1.25
1.64
2.09
2.35
0.32
0.37
0.43
0.54
0.61
0.85
1.08
1.20
1132
V.K. SRIVASTAVA
AND
DEEPAK KUMAR
Table 7. Values of m and n.

Kim [14]
Materials
Tan [13]
Present
Vf (%)
W (mm)
Glass/epoxy
62
10
20
40
0.65
1.39
2.85
0.33
0.35
0.35
0.37
0.37
0.37
0.33
0.33
0.33
0.37
0.47
0.43
0.33
0.41
0.52
Glass/polyster
60
10
30
10
30
0.84
1.25
0.65
0.85
0.26
0.34
0.31
0.29
0.55
0.55
0.38
0.38
0.25
0.25
0.32
0.32
0.55
0.43
0.38
0.27
0.25
0.47
0.32
0.28
10
20
0.90
1.43
0.15
0.22
0.69
0.69
0.06
0.06
0.69
0.69
0.06
0.32
44.5
Carbon/epoxy
60
where m and n are constants for a particular material and for a particular width of the
plate.
However, establishing the dependence of the characteristic length (d0) on the laminate
configuration, aspect ratio, material system, loading procedure and environmental
conditions, etc., more extensive experimentation is required.
REFERENCES
1. Wadous, M.E., Eoisenmann, J.R. and Kaminski, B.E. (1971). microscopic fracture mechanics of
advanced composite materials. J. Composite Materials, 5(4): 446.
2. Wu, E.M. (1974). Strength and fracture of composites. In: Broutman, L.J. (ed.), Fracture and
Fatigue. Stamford: Technomic Publishing Company.
3. Holdsworth, A.W. and Owen, M.J. (1974). Macroscopic fracture mechanics of glass reinforced
polyster resin laminates. J. Composite Materials, 8: 117.
4. Prabhakaran (1979). Tensile fracture of composites with circular holes. Material Science and
Engineering, 45: 121.
5. Yeow, Y.T., Morris, D.H. and Brinson, H.F. (1979). A correlative study between analysis and
experiment on the fracture behavior of graphite/epoxy composites. J. of Testing and Evaluation
JTEVA, 7(2): 117.
6. Tan, S.C. (1988). Finite width correction factors for anisotropic plates containing a central
opening. J. Composite Materials, 22: 1080.
7. Govindan Potti, P.K., Rao, B.N. and Srivastava, V.K. (1999). Comparison of models for
notched strength of carbon fibre reinforced polyster laminates, plastics, rubber and composites.
Z. Metallkd., 28(10): 463.
8. Govindan Potti, P.K., Rao, B.N. and Srivastava, V.K. (1999). Tensile fracture strength of
cracked composite laminates. Z. Metallkd., 90: 376.
9. Whitney, J.M. and Nuismer, R.J. (1974). Stress fracture criteria for laminated composites
containing stress concentration. J. Composite Materials, 8: 253.
10. Nuismer, R.J. and Whitney, J.M. (1975). Uniaxial failure of composite laminates containing
stress concentrations. Fracture Mechanics of Composites. USA: ASTM STP 593. p. 253.
11. Pipes, R.B., Robert, C., Wetherhold and Gillespie, J.W. (1980). Macroscopic fracture of fibrous
composites. Material Science and Engineering, 45: 247.
12. Tan, S.C. (1987). Laminated composites containing an elliptical opening I. approximate stress
analysis and fracture models. J. of Composite Materials, 21: 925.
1133
13. Tan, S.C. (1987). Laminated composites containing an elliptical opening II. experiment and
model modification. J. of Composite Materials, 21: 949.
14. Kim, J.K., Kim, D.S. and Takedar, N. (1995). Notched strength and fracture criterion in fabric
composite plates containing a circular hole. J. of Composite Materials, 29(7) 982.
15. Lekhnitskii, S.G. (1968). Anisotropic Plates. Translated from 2nd Russian ad. by Tsai, S.W. and
Cheron, T. New York: Gordon and Breach Science Publication, Inc.
16. Agrawal, B.D. and Broutman, L.J. (1979). Analysis and Performance of Composites. New York:
A Wiley Interscience Publication. p. 208.
17. Deepak Kumar (2000). Notched strength prediction of laminated composite under tensile
loading. MTech Thesis, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Technology, B.H.U.,
Varanasi, India.

Prediction of Notched Strength of Laminated Fibre Composites Under Tensile Loading Conditions

Încărcat de

Informații document

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Prediction of Notched Strength of Laminated Fibre Composites Under Tensile Loading Conditions

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Prediction of Notched Strength of

Laminated Fibre Composites under

UMEROUS EFFORTS HAVE

Journal of COMPOSITE MATERIALS, Vol. 36, No. 09/2002

Downloaded from jcm.sagepub.com at VITERBO UNIV on January 15, 2015

Downloaded from jcm.sagepub.com at VITERBO UNIV on January 15, 2015