Effect of fiber type on the level of stress concentration created by U-notches in long-fiber composite plates

Abstract

The effect of fiber type on the level of stress concentration created by u-notches were investigated for unidirectional and symmetric cross-ply laminates loaded on or off-axis. The finite element method was used for this purpose utilizing triangular elements under plane stress conditions. Analyses were performed for three different fiber reinforcements of epoxy matrix: glass, graphite and boron. Typical material properties reported in the literature for glass/epoxy, boron/epoxy and graphite/epoxy were used in calculations. The accuracy of the finite element code utilized was first checked by calculating the u-notch stress concentration factors for an isotropic steel plate.