Bending analysis of a symmetric laminated composite plate containing a polygonal shaped cut-out

Abstract

The presence of cut-out in a structure may result in to strength degradation due to alteration of load lines around it. In application such as ship decks and aircrafts structures where the composites are majorly used, the calculation of stress concentration around such cot-outs is essential to avoid major failures. The performance of laminated composites containing these cut-outs largely depends upon the fiber arrangement, number of layers, shape and corner radius of hole and type of loading. The present study investigates the effect of these parameters on the stress concentration around polygonal shaped cut-out in symmetric laminated plate subjected to bending loading. Additionally, the effect of number of ply groups on stress concentration is also addressed. The stress concentration is evaluated by using a close form solution given by Muskhelishvili's complex variable formulation. The numerical results are obtained for graphite/epoxy plate weakened by triangular, pentagonal and hexagonal shaped hole considering in-plane equi-biaxial, cylindrical and twisting bending loading at infinity. The present results can be useful to the designer who needs to reduce the stress concentration around polygonal shaped hole in composite laminate.