Simulations and experiments of open hole tension tests – Assessment of intra-ply plasticity, damage, and localization

Laminated composites with various layups of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced epoxy are investigated by numerical modeling and experimental testing. Open hole tension configurations are studied with special considerations of the non-linear behavior of the plies. Computational predictions are based on an anisotropic constitutive material law which includes plasticity and damage, the latter comprise hardening as well as softening. Experimental evaluations include a 3D image correlation photogrammetry system for capturing the strain fields of the sample surfaces.The open hole tension configuration represents a structural problem, in which the stress distribution is highly non-uniform. The measured and the predicted strain fields as well as the localization zones show very good agreement which indicates that the governing intra-ply mechanisms are captured well by the constitutive law.