A finite fracture mechanics model for the prediction of the open-hole strength of composite laminates

A new model based on finite fracture mechanics is proposed to predict the open-hole tensile strength of composite laminates. Failure is predicted when both stress-based and energy-based criteria are satisfied. The material properties required by the model are the ply elastic properties, and the laminate unnotched strength and fracture toughness. No empirical adjusting parameters are required. Using experimental data obtained in quasi-isotropic carbon–epoxy laminates it is concluded that the model predictions are very accurate, resulting in improvements over the traditional strength prediction methods. It also is shown that the proposed finite fracture mechanics model can be used to predict the brittleness of different combinations of materials and geometries.