Fracture of FRP plates containing notches or a circular hole under tension

A fracture criteria based on the concept of linear-notch mechanics (LNM) for predicting the tensile strength of composite laminates containing stress concentrations is subjected to further experimental scrutinization. An experimental program is presented which examines the effect of notch-root radius and the hole-size effect on the fracture of the FRP plates. This is accomplished by obtaining experimental data on a glass-fiber/epoxy laminate containing notches or through-the-thickness circular holes for a wide range of sizes. The experiment shows that the maximum elastic stress at the notch root or at the edge of the hole when the specimen fails is governed by the notch-root radius or the hole size. On the basis of the concept of LNM, the experimental results can be clearly explained, and the limiting condition for the fracture of FRP plates containing notches or a circular hole is determined.