Fatigue damage growth monitoring for composite structures with holes

The problem discussed in the present paper deals with theoretical (numerical) and experimental analysis of static and fatigue problems for composite open holes laminated panels. The novelty of our approach depends on the application of the hybrid experimental methods and the comparison of their effectiveness in the description of complicated fatigue problems arising in the analysis of the behavior of laminated panels with open holes and subjected to tensile loading. Three experimental methods are used herein: the infrared thermography (passive), the structural health monitoring (active) and the digital image correlation. The experimental investigations are supplemented by the finite element description of the problem dealing mainly with the static behavior, monitoring the development and final fracture of composites. The considerations concern the laminated panels oriented at ±45° with different types of holes, i.e. vertical elliptical, horizontal elliptical and circular.