Notched and pin bearing strengths of GFRP composite laminates

An experimental study tms conducted to determine the notched and pin bearing strengths of randomly oriented GFRP composites having various values of fiber volume fractions (V-f). To achieve this, the effect of varying hole size (D=3 to 12 mm) on the tensile strength of GFRP specimens. with constant width (W), has been investigated. A series of pin bearing tests has been carried out to examine the effect of W/D ratio on the bearing strength of the composite laminates. The failure sequence and the Fractured surfaces of bearing specimens were exainined using the: scanning electron microscope. The results show that, fiber volume fraction has a significant effect un load-pin bearing displacement behavior. The value of W/D must be greater than 5 for the development of full bearing strength of the composite laminates. The stress intensity factor (K-lc) was accurately calculated for GFRP composites with various values of V-f, in the range of hole sizes investigated.