Progressive failure analysis of notched laminated composites containing gaps and overlaps subjected to compressive loading

The objective of this paper was to consolidate an efficient numerical approach to predict the failure strength of notched composite laminates containing automated fiber placement (AFP) process-induced defects and subjected to... [ view full abstract ]

The objective of this paper was to consolidate an efficient numerical approach to predict the failure strength of notched composite laminates containing automated fiber placement (AFP) process-induced defects and subjected to a uniaxial compression load. To achieve this goal, a progressive failure analysis was performed where two failure criteria were combined together to account for the presence of defects inside the composite laminates. Numerical simulations of composite laminates containing different defects types, orientations and locations were performed. The Open Hole Compression strength values of the different defects configurations were numerically calculated and compared with the experimental data available in the literature. A good correlation results was observed (the maximum error is less than 3%). It was concluded that the effect of an AFP defect depends as much on its type as on its location relative to the hole-center.