Abstract
A new 3-D progressive damage model (PDM) was developed with the aid of ABAQUS software, nonlinear Hashin failure criteria and Riccio property degradation rules to predict failure mode and load of pinned joints in crossply glass fiber/epoxy composites. A series of ASTM tests (tensile, compressive and shear) were conducted on a unidirectional laminates to find the lamina properties, which were used as input to the PDM. The strength of pinned joints with pin-hole clearance of 0, 50, 100, 200, 300 mu m was measured experimentally in accordance with ASTM5961. The Failure modes of the mechanical and pinned joint tests are agreed well with those reported by the ASTM standards. The developed PDM successfully predicted the ultimate strength of the composite pinned joints with a maximum error of 4.7%. Increasing the pin-hole clearance from 0 to 300 mu m reduces the half of the contact length by 17.8% and increases the contact pressure by 26.6%. Accordingly, the 4% hole deformation strength, first-peak bearing strength, the measured ultimate strength and the predicted ultimate strength were decreased respectively by 20.9%, 34.0%, 14.2% and 8.8%.