Bearing strength of carbon/epoxy composite laminates

Fracture behavior of carbon/epoxy laminates under pin loading is studied experimentally and analytically. Effects of ratios of specimen width to hole diameter and edge distance to hole diameter on bearing strength are investigated. Characteristic length of the laminates obtained using the HK model is in good agreement with the experimental data. The larger the hole size induced, the lower the bearing strength measured under pin loading. The bearing strength and failure mode could be predicted using the HK model and Zhang's analytical solution of stress distribution around a pin load hole. Chamis' method for prediction of bearing strength is also considered to predict failure mode and bearing strength. A modification of Chamis' method is made using a factor of rupture. The bearing strength predicted by the modified method is reasonably close to the experimental data.