A study of the effects of various geometric parameters on the failure strength of pin-loaded woven-glass-fiber reinforced epoxy laminate

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of woven fiber, specimen width-to-hole diameter ratio (W/D), and the ratio of edge distance to hole diameter (E/D) on the bearing strength of woven laminated composites. Glass/epoxy composites were manufactured under pressure by moulds at 120 degreesC. The mechanical properties and strengths of the composites were obtained experimentally. The glass/epoxy woven composites were loaded through pins. Single-hole pin-loaded specimens were tested for their tensile response and W/D and E/D ratios evaluated. Failure propagation and failure type were observed on the specimens. The influence of the joint geometry on the strength of the pin-loaded composites was assessed. The experimental results show that the ultimate load capacity of woven-glass-fiber. reinforced epoxy laminates with pin connections was increased by increasing W and E. However increasing the E/D ratio beyond 2 and increasing the W/D ratio beyond 3 have an insignificant effect on the ultimate load capability of the connection. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.