Effect of Cutout Location on Postbuckiling Responses and Failure Characteristics of Composite Laminates

Abstract

The objective of the present investigation is to study effects of locations of various shaped (i.e., circular, square and diamond) cutouts on stability and failure characteristics of simply-supported, axially-compressed quasi-isotropic laminate, (+45/-45/0/90)2s using finite element method. The FEM formulation is based on first order shear deformation theory wherein von Karman’s assumptions are used to incorporate geometric nonlinearity. The 3-D Tsai-hill criterion is used to predict the failure of a lamina, while the onset of delamination is predicted by the interlaminar failure criterion. It is observed that the location of cutout has a significant effect on buckling and postbuckling strength of the laminate. It is also noted that the laminate with cutout centered at a distance greater than or equal to 0.75b (where, b is the width of the square laminate) from the loaded edge has negligible effect on buckling strength of the laminate.