Load interaction curves and postbuckling response of composite laminate with circular cutout under combined in-plane loading

The objective of this paper is to study the interaction curves along with buckling and postbuckling responses of a quasi-isotropic laminate with a centrally placed circular cutout of various sizes under uni-axial compression combined with in-plane shear loads (positive and negative). The present study is carried out using finite element method. The finite element formulation is based on the first order shear deformation theory and von Karman’s assumptions to incorporate geometric nonlinearity. The resulting nonlinear algebraic equations are solved by Newton–Raphson method. The 3-D Tsai-Hill criterion is used to predict the failure of a lamina while the onset of delamination is predicted by the interlaminar failure criterion. It is observed that pure compression- buckling, -first-ply failure and -ultimate failure strengths of the quasi-isotropic laminate with and without circular cutout decreases with increasing accompanying shear load. In addition, it is also noted that for a given uni-axial compression load, a quasi-isotropic laminate with and without a cutout can sustain higher negative shear load in comparison to the positive shear load.