Ultimate strength of pin-loaded composite laminates: A limit analysis approach

A simplified approach to determining the ultimate strength of a pin-loaded composite laminate (PLCL), based on limit analysis theory, is presented. The composite laminate is treated as a multilayered deformable three-dimensional solid. The upper bound theorem of limit analysis and kinematic fields that include discontinuities in plies and interfaces are used to predict the bearing strength of pin-loaded composite laminate. An analytical estimation of the ultimate failure load is obtained. The theoretical predictions are compared to available experimental results. The effects of the geometry and the number of interfaces on PLCL strength are also examined.