Numerical simulations of combined size effects acting on an open-hole laminated composite plate under tension

Numerical and experimental research programs have been carried out to investigate the effect of scaling on tensile strength notched composites. This paper presents a computational study scaled open-hole tests using Discrete Ply Model (DPM) method. finite element model is discrete, only small number parameters are required from characterization tests. Experimental numerical values compared here, reveal that DPM simulations tend slightly overestimate values, with an average discrepancy 9.7%. However, Results show such modeling simulates both reduction in when specimen size increased for sublaminate level specimens, where failure fiber dominated, increase ply delamination dominated. In all cases, increasing total thickness leads decrease this dominant over hole diameter. As well as variation strength, three distinct mechanisms observed: extensive matrix damage (pull-out failure), little or no (brittle failure) failure. Comparisons experiments demonstrate strengths, propagation scenarios patterns predicted acceptable accuracy.