3D finite element analysis of tensile notched strength of 2/2 twill weave fabric composites with drilled circular hole

This paper presents the micromechanical three-dimensional finite element mo dels of the 2/2 twill weave T300 carbon/epoxy woven fabric composite lamina tes with drilled circular holes of different sizes. A fiber breakage failur e criterion for predicting the ultimate tensile notched strength of fiber d ominated composites is also proposed. It is found that the location of fail ure initiation for laminates with large hole size is different from those f or laminates with smaller holes while the stress concentration may not occu r at the notch roots for the fiber dominated laminates. Based on the uniaxi al, shear and von Mises stress distributions in the yam and matrix, the inf luence of hole-size on the stress distributions and stress concentration is discussed. Standard tensile tests with modifications are performed for thi s particular type of woven fabric composites. The apparent strain concentra tion factors and notched strengths determined by experiments are presented and the finite element models are verified by satisfactory correlation betw een prediction and experiment. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.