Numerical investigation on the effect of ply symmetry and presence of central hole on tensile performance of polymer matrix composites

This study presents numerical investigation of change in degradation of load carrying capacity in tension due to presence of ply symmetry and a central hole. Four different stacking sequences are used in the study, each having two variations viz. symmetric and non-symmetric. This approach is followed to understand effect of having symmetric layups. Secondly, tensile performance degradation is also estimated for above layups due to a central hole. This approach is used to understand the effect of stacking sequence. Finally, the difference in degradation of load carrying capacity due to symmetry as well as central hole is presented. This approach is followed to understand the effect of layup symmetry and central hole on tensile performance having different stacking sequences. Investigation shows that from the four stacking sequences taken under study, two showed positive effect and one showed negligible effect of symmetry on performance for specimen without and with hole. However. one stacking sequence showed negligible effect for specimen without hole and a negative effect of symmetry for specimen with a hole. Hence, for applications where this stacking sequence is used it is proposed to use non symmetric layups, for better performance in presence of a discontinuity like a hole.