Stress and Failure Analysis of Composite Laminates with an Inclusion under Multiaxial Compression-Tension Loading

The present paper investigates the failure of orthotropic laminates with a filled hole subjected to biaxial compression-tension loading. This is an idealised case that simulates a situation where the impact damaged laminate has been repaired by drilling a hole and then plugging the hole with a perfect-fit core made of a dissimilar material. The exact stress distribution in the laminate has been determined using the complex variable mapping method. These stresses are then employed in a fracture mechanics failure model to predict the failure load of a laminate with a filled hole under in-plane compression-dominated multi-axial loading. Failure strength predictions are compared to open hole results and experimental data.