Progressive failure analysis of open-hole composite hoops under radial loading

In this article a finite element-based analysis and experimental study of geometrically non-linear progressive failure analysis of open-hole composite laminated hoops under radial loading is presented. In the finite element analysis the mode-dependent failure criterion Hashin failure criterion and Reddy's sudden material property degradation model are coded using ANSYS-APDL and a progressive failure analysis code is developed. Based on a tensile test machine the experimental fixtures are designed and implemented to apply radial loading on inner surface of the composite hoops. Progressive failure analysis of the sample composite laminated hoops with an open-hole of different diameters subjected to radial loading are performed to study the effect of geometric non-linearity on the failure initiation and propagation. Results show that with large longitudinal strength the circumferential crack is the main failure form because of the shear effect. And, diameters of the open-holes have a significant influence on the initiation and propagation of the failure.