Experimental and numerical analysis of pinned-joints composite laminates: Effects of stacking sequences

The present study investigates the effect of stacking sequence on the failure loads (strength) and modes of pinned-joints glass-fiber reinforced epoxy composite laminates. Specimens with [0/90]2S, [15/−75]2S, [30/−60]2S and [45/−45]2S stacking sequences were investigated both experimentally and numerically. A series of ASTM tests were performed on unidirectional [8]0 glass-fiber reinforced epoxy composite laminate to determine the properties of the single lamina that was needed for the finite element analysis. A 3D progressive damage model was built with the aid of ABAQUS software, failure criteria and property degradation rules to simulate the problem. The results showed that the [0/90]2S laminate has the highest ultimate strength. The minimum bearing and ultimate strength was observed for [30/−60]2S laminate. Loading the specimens up to the ultimate value lead to shear-out failure mode for [0/90]2S, [15/−75]2S and [30/−60]2S stacking sequences, while specimens with [45/−45]2S stacking sequence are characterized by bearing failure mode. The experimental and numerical results agree well with a maximum Euclidean error norm of 8.57%.