PROGRESSIVE FAILURE ANALYSIS OF PIN-LOADED LAMINATED COMPOSITES USINGPENALTY FINITE-ELEMENT METHOD

A progressive failure analysis is carried out to predict the failure s trengths and failure modes of pin-loaded laminated composite plates us ing the penalty finite element method. To consider contact condition i n the pin hole interface, an exterior penalty method and the Coulomb f riction law are used. Damage accumulations in the laminates are evalua ted by using Hashin's failure criteria combined with the proposed prop erty degradation model, Using a finite element code developed based on the present formulation, contact stresses are obtained and verified, Predictions of failure strengths and the failure modes compare well wi th available experimental data. Finally, a parametric study considerin g geometries and clearance is performed to identify the failure charac teristics of the pin loaded laminated composite plate, The numerical r esults show the importance of geometric parameters and clearance on bo th the failure strengths and the failure modes.