Experimental testing and numerical simulation of bearing and filled hole tension carbon specimens under dynamic loading

Abstract

Holes or filled holes with a bolt in a composite lead to stress concentration that may cause complicated damage processes and failure mechanisms, such as matrix cracking, fibre breakage, delamination, etc., leading to catastrophic failure and a reduction of strength. Due to the complex damage mechanisms involved, as well as the complexity in analysing composite materials, predicting the strength reduction due to the presence of holes is quite challenging. Consequently, experimental tests are commonly performed in order to establish the strength reduction due to the presence of holes. In this regard, the Filled Hole Tension (FHT) test is used to determine the strain and strength reductions caused by a fastener-filled hole under tension loading. Similarly, the bearing test is used to obtain the strain and strength reductions caused by having a pin or a fastener connected with another element