Failure analysis of two-dimensional carbon-epoxy composite plate pinned joint

The aim of this study is to investigate failure strength and failure mode o f a mechanically fastened carbon-epoxy composite plate of arbitrary orienta tion. The failure load and the failure mode are analyzed numerically and ex perimentally. The numerical method includes two steps. First, the stress di stribution in the plate is calculated by the use of finite-element method. Second, the failure load and the failure mode are predicted by means of Tsa i-Hill and fiber tensile-compressive failure criteria. A computer program w as developed which can be used to calculate the failure load, the failure m ode, and the propagation of failure. The distance-to-diameter, E/D, and wid th-to-diameter, W/D, ratios in the plate are changed from 1 to 5 and 2 to 5 , respectively. It is found that full bearing strength is developed when E/ D and W/D ratios are equal to or greater than 4.