The Effect of Volume Fractions on Hole Stress Concentration in Composite Lamina Subjected to Matrix Plasticity

Abstract

In this paper, the stress concentration around a hole in the single layer composite materials with long fibers is examined. The single layer has an infinite length, limited with and instant thickness and is loaded by a constant tension force <em>p</em> at infinity. The width of the lamina is considered to be finite and bears a hole as a defect. Due to presence of excessive shear stress in the matrix bays bounding the hole, a yielded zone of size is developed around the hole. Shear lag model (SLM) is used to drive the displacement and stress fields. The resulting equations are solved analytically based on boundary conditions and continuity in governing equations. Finally, the stress concentrations around the hole are calculated using a computer code. It is shown that the volume fractions of the fiber and matrix, as well as length of the plastic zone, have considerable effect on the stress concentrations within the lamina. Moreover, the number of broken fibers, the total number of fibers and the hole deformation seem to have considerable effect on hole stress concentrations. It is shown the stress concentration coefficient decreases with the increase of the plastic zone length. Also, the stress concentration factor increases in the elastic case with the increase of the volume fraction but in the plastic case at first it increases and then decreases with the increase of the volumes fraction.