Cutout shape and size effects on response of quasi-isotropic composite laminate under uni-axial compression

Abstract

Cutouts are often provided in structural and aircraft components for ventilation, for access, inspection, electric lines and fuel lines or sometimes to lighten the structure. This paper addresses the effects of cutout shape (i.e., circular, square, diamond, elliptical-vertical and elliptical-horizontal) and size on buckling and postbuckling response of quasi-isotropic (i.e., <TEX>$(+45/-45/0/90)_{2s}$</TEX>) composite laminate under uni-axial compression. The finite element method is used to carry out the investigation. The formulation is based on first order shear deformation theory and von Karman's assumptions are used to incorporate geometric nonlinearity. The 3-D Tsai-Hill criterion is used to predict the failure of a lamina while the onset of delamination is predicted by the interlaminar failure criterion. It is observed that for the smaller size cutout area there is no significant effect of cutout shape on load-deflection response of the laminate. It is also concluded that the cutout size has substantial influence on the buckling and postbuckling response of the laminate with elliptical-horizontal cutout, while this effect is observed to be the least in case of laminate with elliptical-vertical cutout.